Sepals 5, nearly equal, membranous-margined, persistent. Petals 0. Stamens 5–10 (3–∞), subhypogynous. Disk lobed or 0. Ovary free, 3–5-celled; stigmas as many as cells, short; ovules ∞, axile. Capsule membranous, 3–5-celled, loculicidally 3–5-valved; seeds smooth, shining or minutely granulate, unappendaged. Annual or perennial low herbs, often frutescent at base. Leaves alternate or pseudo-verticillate, fleshy, terete (or various), stipulate; stipules scarious, setaceous-fimbriate or leaf-sheath with a subulate tooth on each side. Flowers in pedunculate umbels (or variously cymose).