Description:

• Perennial herbs or undershrubs, rarely annuals, often monoecious, often associated with water
• Leaves alternate, opposite, or whorled, simple or pectinato-pinnatifid; stipules sometimes present and adhering to petiole
• Flowers unisexual or bisexual, often minute and imperfect, axillary, solitary, clustered, or sometimes in racemes, spikes, panicles, or corymbs
• Calyx (0)2-4-lobed
• Petals (0)2-4, free, concave, deciduous, usually valvate
• Stamens (1)2-8; anthers 2-thecous, basifixed, ± oblong, often longer than filaments
• Ovary inferior, 1-4-locular, compressed or 2-8-angled or ribbed, sometimes 2-4-winged, with 1 or few pendulous ovules in each locule; styles 1-4, usually free, plumose or papillose
• Fruit usually minute, nut-like or drupaceous, indehiscent, 1-3-locular, or of 2-4 cocci, with a single, pendulous seed in each locule or coccus

Classification Notes:

• Family name conserved

Nomenclature:

• Haloragaceae
  • Harvey: 571 (1862) (Halorageae)
  • Obermeyer: 116 (1973)
  • Mendes: 74 (1978)

Distribution & Notes:

• Global: Genera 9, species 120, cosmopolitan, but concentrated in Australia
• Southern Africa: Genera 2, species 3

References:

• HARVEY, W.H. 1862. Halorageae. Flora capensis 2
• MENDES, E.J. 1978. Haloragaceae. Flora zambesiaca 4
• OBERMEYER, A.A. 1973. A note on Laurembergia repens. Bothalia 11

Resources:

• Key to Haloragaceae genera

• Haloragaceae genera: