Unarmed or spiny, annual, rarely perennial, monoecious herbs. Leaves alternate, long-petiolate, simple and entire or sinuate. Flowers unisexual. Bracts and 2 bracteoles present. Perianth segments (2-)3-5, free or connate at base, membranous. Fruit a capsule, indehiscent, rupturing irregularly or with a circumscissile lid. Seeds usually black and shining. Worldwide: 60 species, in both tropical and temperate zones Mozambique: 1 cultivated taxon. Insects associated with this genus: |
No image of a cultivated species but there is an image of a native or naturalised species |