56. Tecticornia Hook f.

Tecticornia Hook. f. in Benth. & Hook f., Gen. Pl. 3: 65 (1880) Wilson, Nuytsia 1: 277-288 (1972).

Annual herbs or subshrubs, leafless. Inflorescence spiciform; flowers bisexual, in 3-5-flowered cymes concealed by bracts; bracts free, opposite and decussate, with fleshy, upturned outer margins; perianth succulent, 2-lobed, lobes free from each other and from the surrounding bracts. Pericarp free; seed coat coriaceous; perisperm present; embryo curved. Three spp., Australia, New Guinea.