Description: Erect or ascending herbs.
Leaves opposite.
Flowers in elongated terminal spikes, becoming reflexed at maturity. Bracts scarious, glabrous, subulate, pungent. Perianth segments 5. Stamens 3–5, alternating with wide membranous fringed staminodes, united at base. Ovary glabrous, top-shaped; style simple; stigma capitate.
Fruit cylindrical, flat-topped, 1-seeded.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 5–100 species, tropical & subtropical regions. Australia: 1 species (native).
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs & L. Lapinpuro
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Achyranthes aspera |
|
