Chenopodiaceae

Annual or perennial herbs or shrubs (rarely arborescent), glabrous or variably pubescent, occasionally glandular. Leaves alternate or opposite, simple, often fleshy, sometimes much reduced. Inflorescence cymose, paniculate, or of solitary axillary flowers. Flowers small, usually greenish, bisexual or unisexual; perianth segments (tepals) 1–5, in one whorl, or sometimes lacking; stamens equal to or fewer than tepals; ovary superior or semi-inferior (Beta), unilocular, with 2–3 carpels, stigmas 2 or 3. Fruit a nut, berry or utricle with membranous, hardened or succulent pericarp; perianth or bracteoles often enlarged in fruit and developing spines, wings or tubercles; seed often lenticular, testa membranous to crustaceous.