Chenopodiaceae
Monoecious, ⚥, or dioecious herbs or shrubs, rarely small trees, often succulent, glabrous or with vesicular hairs giving a farinose appearance. Lvs generally alternate, sometimes opposite, simple, exstipulate. Fls solitary or in dense cymes aggregated in a spike or panicle, bracteolate, often very small, usually actinomorphic, greenish. Calyx 3-5-lobed, rarely 0, often accrescent at fruiting; lobes usually imbricate. Petals 0. Stamens usually as many as perianth lobes and opposite to them, usually free. Ovary superior, sometimes immersed, 1-locular. Ovule solitary, basal, erect or pendent. Stigmas (1)-2-3. Fr. usually an achene, rarely a berry, occasionally with circumscissile dehiscence. Seed often erect, compressed in 1 plane, non-endospermic, or with endosperm and then embryo curved or coiled round it.
Key
c. 75 genera, 1400-1500 spp., widespread.
Most members of this fairly large family are halophytes and occur around the coasts and in dry inland regions, especially those with temperate and subtropical climates.
