Herbs (in ours), often succulent. Stipules lateral, free. Leaves spirally or distichously arranged. Inflorescences bisexual, borne in the leaf axils, discoid to turbinate, receptacle with marginal or
submarginal appendages, sometimes also bracteate outside. Male flowers numerous; perianth segments 2-3; stamens 2-3. Female flowers 1-numerous, in central part of inflorescence, stigmas 2. Fruit a dehiscent drupe. Derivation of name: After Theodore Dorsten, a German botanist Worldwide: 105 species in the tropics Zimbabwe: 4 taxa. |
|