Monoecious (or dioecious) perennial herb (in ours) without stinging hairs. Stipules free, lateral. Leaves opposite (in ours). Inflorescences of dense sessile clusters in leaf axils. Male flowers: perianth 3-lobed; one lobe with prominent bristles; stamen 1. Female flowers: a woolly tomentose ovary and sessile stigma. Achene brown, shiny. Worldwide: 7 species in tropical and warm Africa to Java Zimbabwe: 1 taxon. |