Friis, I. & M.G. Gilbert (1993) Chenopodiaceae, Flora of Somalia 1: 127-139
Plants perennial herbs or shrubs; stems jointed. Leaves opposite, often reduced to scales. Inflorescences axilllary, usually of solitary flowers; bracteoles 2, pubescent. Flowers bisexual, 5-merous; perianth segments free, 3 or 5, developing conspicuous wings in fruit; stamens 5, alternating with short, staminode-like appendages; styles with2 short stigmas. Utricles usually membranous, occasionally fleshy, included within the winged perianths; seeds copressed to lenticular, vertical, without endosperm; embryos spiral.
Anabasis includes about 25 species, most of which grow in northern Africa, and southwestern and central Asia.