Hypanthium urceolate or tubular, persistent about the dry, indehiscent fr; sep 4; pet none; stamens 8, included; style slightly eccentric; lvs small, sessile; most spp. dioecious or polygamous evergreen shrubs, but ours an annual herb with perfect fls. 20, Medit., temp. Asia.
Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.