Flora of New Zealand Series

Fls minute, unisexual, in axillary clusters us. subtended by involucral bracts; ♂ with 4-5-partite per., stamens 4-5, inflexed in bud, ovary obsolete; ♀ with per. 0 or of 3-5 minute segs, staminodes us. present, stigmas sessile, penicillate, ovule erect. Achene minute, compressed, ovate to elliptic in outline. Herbs with distichous, alt. or opp., stipulate lvs, of old world tropics and subtropics; the N.Z. sp. endemic.