Gilbert, M.G. (1993) Aizoaceae in Flora of Somalia 1: 111
Plants annnual or perennial, herbs or subshtrubs, usually at least slightly succulent, sometimes very succulent. Leaves opposite or alternate, simple, entire; base often sheathing or with stipule-like appendages; epidermis (often also of stem) with enlarged, transparent cells [bladder cell idioblasts]. Inflorescence usually a cyme, rarely flowers solitary. Perianth and stamens united into a hypnathium [tube] surrounding or fused with the ovary. Perianth of sepals and petal-like staminodes or tepals with sepal-like outer surfaces and petal-like inner surfaces; stamens 4 - very numberous. Ovary surrounded by or inferior to the ovary, 1-many-celled; styles 1-many. Fruit usually a septicidal, loculicidal, or circumscissile capsule, rarely a schizocarp, nut, drupe, or berry.
A family of about 140 genera and up to 2000 species.
