Amaranthaceae: Monocotyledons

Members of the family can be annuals or perennials    and commonly grow in saline soils. The simple leaves are sometimes succulent or hairy and are usually arranged alternately along the stems. The stems,roots  , leaves, or flowers of many species are red in colour because of the presence of characteristic betalain pigments. The small flowers can be bisexual or unisexual and are often borne in dense spikes; several leaflike bracts usually are present below each flower.  The fruit may be a capsule, utricle, nutlet, drupe or berry.