Flora of North America species comparison

simple or branched;

vascular bundles in more than 1 ring or scattered.

blade 3-5-veined from base, ovate to narrowly or broadly elliptic, 2-6.5 × 1-4 cm, base nearly rounded to broadly cuneate, apex acute to short-acuminate;

surfaces mostly glabrous.

blade: margins entire.

terminal, opposite leaves, or axillary, spikes.

terminal or terminal and axillary, 1-4, densely flowered, 3-13 cm, mature fruiting spikes 2-3 mm diam.

bisexual;

perianth absent, each flower subtended by peltate bract;

stamens 2-6, hypogynous, anthers 2-locular;

pistil 1, 1- or 3-4-carpellate;

ovary 1-locular, superior;

placentation basal;

ovule 1;

stigmas usually 3-4.

sessile, very broadly ovoid to globose, 0.7-0.8 × 0.6-0.7 mm, warty;

beak obliquely conic, 0.1-0.2 mm.

drupelike.

1;

endosperm scanty;

perisperm abundant;

embryo minute.

trees, shrubs, or perennial or annual herbs, often rhizomatous, sometimes aromatic, glabrous, pubescent, or glandular-dotted, terrestrial or epiphytic.