Ouret Adanson, nom. rej.

Herbs or subshrubs. Stem erect, stoloniferous or climbing. Leaves alternate or opposite, margin entire. Flowers perfect, unisexual or dioecious, small or very small. Inflorescences spikes, terminal or axillary, simple or in complex thyrsoid structures. Bracts and bracteoles membranous, persistent or bracteoles falling off with perianth in fruit. Tepals 4 or 5, ovate or oblong, membranous or papery, lanose, with only 1 vein. Stamens 4 or 5; filaments subulate, unequal, united to short cup at base, alternating with pseudostaminodes, pseudostaminodes subulate to oblong; anthers 2-loculed. Ovary obovoid or subglobose, glabrous; style persistent; stigmas 2, capitate. Utricles ovoid, compressed, membranous, indehiscent or irregularly dehiscent (bursting), falling off with perianth. Seeds reniform-orbicular, lenticular, compressed.

About ten species: Africa, Asia; two species in China.