Chenopodium & Dysphania Author George Bentham Author Ferdinand Mueller text 1870 L. Reeve & Co. London Flora Australiensis 157 165 http://un.availab.le book chapter FloAustBeMu1870-157 3. DYSPHANIA, R. Br. Flowers polygamous. Perianth of 1 to 3 minute segments, which when in fruit are clavate, concave or hood-shaped, white and almost transparent. Stems 1 to 3. Ovary ovoid; styles 1 or 2, very finely filiform. Fruit ovoid, the pericarp inseparable from the seed. Seed erect testa crustaceous with a very thin membranous inner integument. Embryo circular enclosing a mealy albumen; radicle inferior. - Small annuals. Leaves alternate, flat, entire. Flowers minute, in clusters either all axillary or in terminal spikes, the females numerous, the hermaphrodite ones few in each cluster. The genus is limited to Australia. It is nearly allied to the section Orthosporum of Chenopodium, but readily distinguished by the remarkable perianth. Fruiting perianth of 3 (rarely 2) segments falling off with the fruit. Style 1. Plant of 1 to 3 in . Flower-clusters forming a dense terminal leafless spike... 1. D. plantaginella. Flower-clusters closely contiguous but axillary, forming a leafy spike... 2. D. littoralis . Fruiting perianth usually of a single segment. Styles 2. Plant of 3 to 6 in . Flower-clusters all axillary and distinct... 3. D. myriocephala.