Small bushy shrubs with opposite branches and leaves; indumentum of multicellular or stellate hairs. Leaves entire. Inflorescences spiciform, bracteate; flowers all hermaphrodite fertile, occasionally solitary but usually the partial inflorescences of 2–3 bibracteolate flowers; bracts persistent. Perianth-segments 5, similar but the inner 3 slightly shorter and narrower, all ± furnished with long barbellate hairs. Stamens 5, united below, the fertile filaments alternating with quadrate or oblong pseudostaminodes which are furnished with fimbriate dorsal scales; anthers bilocular. Ovary with a single pendulous ovule, glabrous, obpyriform; style filiform; stigma capitate. Fruit a thin-walled indehiscent capsule enclosed by the persistent perianth and bracteoles. Endosperm copious.
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