Fleshy root parasites on woody plants. Leaves absent or reduced to scales. Inflorescence subtended by many imbricate scales. Flowers very small, unisexual, congested on monoecious or dioecious pedunculate heads. Perianth of 3-4 lobes, free or united. Male flowers with stamens the same number as the perianth lobes, more or less opposite them; filaments free or connate; anther dehiscence porose or longitudinal. Female flowers usually naked. Carpels 1-2, rarely more. Ovary superior or inferior, 1-2 (-3) locular with a single pendulous ovule, naked or with a single integument. Style 1 or 2, slender. Fruit a nut or a drupe. Seed endospermic.