Flora of New Zealand Series

Glabrous, monoecious annuals with lax or prostrate stems. Lvs cauline, ± oblong with broad bases; ochreae soon lacerate. ♂ fls in terminal or axillary, pedunculate clusters; pedicels filiform; perianth segments (5)-6, free, green; stamens 4-6. ♀ fls in sessile axillary fascicles; perianth segments (5)-6, connate below to form a triangular tube; styles 3; stigmas penicillate. Fr. a trigonous nut included in the hard accrescent perianth, the 3 outer segments of which are spine-tipped.

2 spp., 1 Mediterranean, 1 South Africa. Naturalised sp. 1.