Amaranthaceae
Fls small, regular, perfect, in clusters, spikes or racemes; tepals 3-5, scarious, free or nearly so, imbricate. Stamens us. 5, often with up to 5 staminodes, opp. tepals; filaments ± united towards base. Ovary superior, 1-celled; styles very short or 0; stigmas us. capitate. Ovules us. solitary. Fr. transversely dehiscent or ind.; seeds smooth, embryo annular, endosperm cop. Annual to perennial herbs with alt. or opp. exstipulate lvs. Widespread family of some 50 genera and 500 spp.
