Tetragonia

Herbs [subshrubs], annual or perennial, succulent, glabrous, pilose, or papillate. Roots fibrous. Stems prostrate [subscandent], semiwoody at base. Leaves cauline, alternate, usually petioled; stipules absent; blade flat, margins entire to slightly sinuate or shallowly lobed. Inflorescences: axillary clusters of 2–3 flowers or flowers solitary, sessile or peduncled; bracts absent. Flowers bisexual or unisexual, inconspicuous, 5[–10] mm diam.; calyx campanulate, adnate to ovary, angled, winged, or horned; calyx lobes [3–]4–5[–7], green or yellow adaxially; petals and petaloid staminodia absent; nectary absent; stamens 1–20, perigynous; pistil 3–10-carpellate; ovary inferior [half inferior], [1–]3–10-loculed; placentation apical; ovule 1 per locule; styles 3–10; stigmas 3–10. Fruits nutlike [drupaceous], angled, indehiscent; horns [2–]4–6[–7]. Seeds 1–10, light brown, ± reniform, arils absent.

Distribution

South America, e Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands (New Zealand), Australia.

Discussion

Species 60 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Tetragonia tetragonioides