Myrothamnaceae - Resurrection-bush family

Dioecious, aromatic, glabrous shrub. Stipules subulate, paired, connate with the petiole, persistent. Leaves smelling of resin when crushed, opposite, flabellate, plicate, articulate with the petiole. Flowers sessile in terminal, erect, catkin-like inflorescences. Perianth 0. Bracts present and persistent after fruit fall. Male flowers (in ours): reduced to 5-6 stamens, anthers reddish. Female flowers (in ours): zygomorphic, reduced to (2-)3 green carpels, connate at the base and tapering into outwardly curved styles, presenting purple inwardly-facing stigmas. Fruit a dehiscent capsule. Seeds numerous.

Worldwide: 1 genus and 2 species, southern Africa and Madagascar.

Malawi: 1 genus and 1 taxon.