Herbs, annual, polygamous, herbage glaucous, glabrous except for axillary tufts of long white hairs. Stems erect or spreading, much-branched, not jointed, not armed, somewhat fleshy. Leaves alternate, sessile, ± succulent; blade terete, narrowly oblong, base expanded, clasping, apex obtuse with caducous, flexible bristle. Inflorescences axillary glomerules; bracts leaflike. Flowers bisexual and unisexual; perianth persistent, deeply 5-parted, not imbricate, apically winged, some with flabellate blade, often indurate; stamens 5 or fewer; stigmas 2. Fruits utricles, orbiculate; pericarp somewhat adherent to seed. Seeds vertical, orbiculate, flattened; seed coat brown or brownish black; perisperm absent. x = 9.