Perennial herbs or shrubs, succulent, with articulated stems and opposite, often reduced scale-like leaves. Flowers 2-sexual, usually solitary, axillary, sub-tended by 2, pubescent, short bracteoles, arranged in lateral and terminal spikes; perianth segments 5, free to base, usually at least 3 of them developing into wings in fruit; stamens 5, alternating with the 5 staminodal lobes; anthers not appendiculate or only minutely apiculate; stigmas 2, short, obtuse on very short or obscure style. Utricle membranous, sometimes berry-like, included in the winged perianth; seeds vertical, compressed, lenticular, exalbuminous with membranous testa and spiral embryo.

About 25 species in Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Arabian region; 3 species are in Pakistan. Probably under-collected in the area except A. setifera.

Lower Taxa

• Anabasis haussknechtii Bunge ex Boiss.
• Anabasis lachnantha Aellen & Rech. f.
• Anabasis setifera Moq.