Bernardia  

Shrubs or rarely annual herbs, dioecious or monoecious. Exudate absent*. Unarmed*. Indumentum present, hairs simple or stellate. Stipules free*, simple, unlobed, entire *, not spine-like*, not leaf-like*, without glands. Leaves distributed evenly along stem, alternate, simple, unlobed, toothed, base symmetrical, sometimes purplish when dried, blade not pellucid-punctate; 2-glandular at base; venation pinnate or with 3 veins from base; domatia absent*; stipel-like appendages absent. Petiole present or absent (leaves almost sessile), without swellings or bends at base or apex*. Inflorescence with axis, usually unisexual, males axillary, spicate, elongate or congested, or condensed into a compact cluster, females inflorescences few flowered, terminal or almost so, or sometimes many-flowered and raceme- or spike-like; bracts not leaf-like*, green; pedicels not articulated*. Male flowers: pedicels short, sepals 3–4, valvate, free or partially fused, greenish; petals 0; disc glands among the stamens (interstaminal) or rarely 0; stamens 4–22, free; anther without conspicuous modification; pistillode absent. Female flowers: pedicels short or almost 0; sepals 4–6; imbricate, free, greenish; petals 0; disc below or surrounding the ovary, annular or composed of distinct glands; ovary locules 3, ovules per locule 1; styles 3*, free* or partially fused*, styles 2-branched (i.e. ultimate divisions per locule 2), styles or stigmas not flat*, surface smooth; staminodes absent. Fruit dehiscent, not sculptured*, greenish, brown or slightly purplish; seed without appendage, covering or membraneous layer*, not fleshy; embryo flat, not minute, cotyledons leaf-like.

An asterisk * indicates a state has been assumed but not yet confirmed.

World Checklist: about 75 spp.