Comandraceae

Terrestrial, mostly non-woody perennials that have extensive, somewhat woody, rhizomes. Plants are hemiparasitic, i.e. have chlorophyll so make some of their own food but are always attached to some other plant by modified roots.

Flowers small and in clusters (cyme-like to panicle-like) at the top of the stem or in twos or threes (small cymes) where the upper and middle leaves join the stem (axils). Flowers, if at the top of the stem, all producing both pollen and seeds; or if where the leaf joins the stem, only the central one producing both pollen and seeds, the others often producing pollen and soon falling off. Petals none. Sepals mostly 5, often petal-like, white, green, greenish brown or purplish, separate and spreading, or forming a lobed floral cup or tube (hypanthium). Stamens the same number as the sepals and opposite them; each sepal with a tuft of hairs behind and more or less adherent to the stamens. Carpels usually 3, fused; ovary above point of attachment of the other flower parts (inferior); style 1, cone-shaped; stigma undivided, cap-like. A nectary disk present on top of the ovary or lining the floral tube. Produce fleshy (orange or red) or dry (green or yellowish) stone fruit (drupe) with a single seed.

Leaves alternate or scattered, simple, lance-shaped to oval or round, thin, pliable and almost translucent, green, pale lead-coloured or purplish. Leaf veins forming a prominent net-like pattern. Leaf stalks very short or not present. Leaf edges smooth. Stipules none.