Herbs , perennial, rhizomatous, aromatic, glabrous to pubescent, in wet places. Stems simple or branched; vascular strands in 1(-2) ring(s). Leaves basal and/or cauline, alternate, simple; stipules present, adnate to petioles; petioles usually present. Leaf blade: margins entire. Inflorescences terminal, compact, conic spikes or lax, spikelike racemes terminal and/or opposite leaves. Flowers bisexual; perianth absent, each flower subtended by nonpeltate bract; stamens (3-)6(-8), hypogynous or epigynous; anther 2-locular; pistil 1, 3-5(-7)-carpellate; ovary 1- or 3-5(-7)-locular; placentation parietal or marginal; ovules 2 or 18-40; styles and stigmas distinct. Fruits capsules or schizocarps. Seeds 1 or many (-40); endosperm scanty; perisperm abundant; embryo minute.

PLANT: Perennial, rhizomatous or stoloniferous, aromatic herbs of wet places. LEAVES: simple, alternate, basal or cauline, with stipules adnate to the petiole. INFLORESCENCE: compact conic spikes subtended by involucral bracts, or lax spike-like racemes. FLOWERS: perfect, each subtended by a bract; perianth absent; stamens 3-8; pistil 3-7-carpelled, the ovary superior or inferior. FRUITS: capsules. SEEDS: 1-many NOTES: 5 genera, 7 spp., N. Amer., C. Amer., and e Asia. REFERENCES: Mason, Charles T., Jr. 1999. Saururaceae. Ariz. - Nev. Acad. Sci. 32(1).