Leaves: alternate, simple, stipulate
Inflorescences: staminate inflorescence an erect or pendulous spike or head (rarely solitary); pistillate 1-3 (-7) sessile flowers subtended by an involucre of numerous connate bractlets.
Flowers: imperfect, actinomorphic.
Sepals: 4-7, connate in staminate flowers; pistillate 4-8, reduced, connate and adnate to ovary
Stamens: 4-many, distinct
Ovary: 3-7 carpels, connate; ovary inferior, 3-7 locules, 2 ovules per locule, all but 1 aborting; styles 3-7.
Fruit: nut surrounded by woody cup-like or burr-like involucre.