Nitraria L.

Shrubs, much branched, sometimes spinous. Leaves alternate or fasciculate, simple, fleshy, entire, rarely 3-lobed at apex. Inflorescence scorpioid cymes. Flowers sessile or short pedicelled, yellow to pale greenish. Sepals 5, free or connate at base, imbricate, fleshy, persistent. Petals 5, concave, cuculate. Disk small, fleshy. Stamens 5; anthers oblong. Ovary oblong-pyramidal, appressed long-silky hairy, 3-lobed, 3-locular; ovules solitary in each locule, pendulous; style simple; stigma 3-lobed, decurrent. Drupes ovoid, acuminate; endocarp bony; seeds ovoid; endosperm absent; embryo straight; cotyledons linear-ovate.

Distrib. About 7 species distributed from N.W. Africa to Siberia and Australia. One species in India (Kashmir).

List of Lower Taxa