Atriplex L.

60 species in Aust. (3-4 naturalized); all states and territories

Monoecious or dioecious herbs or small shrubs. Leaves alternate or opposite, flat, with glandular hairs or glabrous. Flowers unisexual; male flowers usually terminal in a short spike, the flowers clustered in the axils of reduced floral leaves; female flowers few together, clustered in the axils. Male perianth 5-cleft; stamens 5. Female flowers enclosed by two large bracteoles which finally enclose the fruit; perianth absent; ovary 1-locular; styles 2.