Herbs often woody at base, or small shrubs. Lvs alternate, sessile or nearly so, narrow and sometimes almost terete, entire. Fls ☿ or ♀, sessile, solitary or few in fascicles; bracts and bracteoles 0. Perianth (4)-5-lobed, usually subglobose to urceolate in bud; segments incurved, becoming connivent and closing over the dry fr., each developing a transverse (horizontal) wing or tubercle, sometimes united to form a single wing surrounding fr. Stamens 5, exserted. Ovary sessile. Stigmas 2-3. Fr. (utricle) depressed-globose, invested by persistent perianth. Seed flattened, horizontal; embryo horseshoe-shaped.