Malachium Fries.

Herbs perennial. Stems decumbent or ascending. Leaves ovate; stipules absent. Inflorescence a leafy dichasium; bracts immediately subtending calyx absent. Sepals 5. Petals 5, white, deeply bifid. Stamens 10. Ovary 1-loculed; ovules numerous; styles 5, alternating with sepals. Capsule ovoid, dehiscing nearly to 1/2 with 5 shortly bifid valves. Seeds numerous, reniform, tuberculate; embryo curved.

One species: temperate Asia and Europe.

(Authors: Lu Dequan; Richard K. Rabeler)