Description: Perennial herbs with prostrate or erect stems.
Leaves alternate.
Inflorescences dense, spicate, arranged in terminal panicles. Bracts and bracteoles similar to the flowers in size. Flowers small, bisexual or unisexual, and then plants dioecious. Perianth segments 5, white. Stamens 5, united at the base with alternating subulate staminodes; anthers 4-locular. Style slender, bifid.
Fruit globose, compressed, dehiscent, 1-seeded; seed brown or black.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 10 spp., warm and trop. Old World. Aust.: 1 sp. (naturalized).
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs & L. Lapinpuro
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Aerva javanica |
|
