Ochradenus Del.

Shrubs, dioecious or polygamous, much-branched, often straggling, glabrous; branches rugose-costate, green, becoming brown. Leaves sessile, solitary or fascicled, entire, linear or oblong, often slightly dentate at base. Infloresence terminal, dense-flowered spike or a raceme. Flowers minute, unisexual or bisexual, bracteate. Sepals 5 - 6, perigynous. Petals absent or rarely much reduced and minute. Disc unilateral, cupuliform or disciform, fleshy, yellowish. Stamens hypogynous, 10 - 15, inserted on disc; filaments filiform; anthers ovoid or ellipsoid. Ovary sessile, ovoid, closed at top, 3 - 4-carpelled, 3- beaked; ovules many, on 3 placentas. Fruit a berry, or rarely a capsulc (non-Indian).Seeds few, small, reniform or obovoid.

N.E. Africa and W. Asia to India; ca 5 species, one species in India.

List of Lower Taxa