Sericorema

Much-branched, erect, annual or perennial herbs. Leaves alternate or occasionally opposite, linear to oblong, sessile, entire. Inflorescences elongated, bracteate, spike-like thyrses; each bract with 1-more central bisexual flowers and 2-more lateral sterile modified flowers, each formed of an accrescent, finally spinous-margined process, fused with indurate base of partial inflorescence so that the whole falls as a unit (a burr) complete with bracteoles; bracts persistent on inflorescence axis. Tepals 5, narrow, 3-nerved, +/- pilose or floccose, connate at base, acuminate or pungent. Stamens 5; filaments slender, connate below; pseudostaminodes 0; anthers narrow, 2-thecous, each theca with an awn-like tail at each end. Ovary +/- compressed, villous or glabrous; ovule solitary, erect; style very short; stigma with a tuft of whitish penicillate hairs. Capsule scarcely compressed, with a firm apex, delicate below, thin-walled, indehiscent. Seed +/- horseshoe-shaped, compressed, brown, smooth and shining; perisperm/endosperm copious.