Citation: Adans., Fam. 2:272 (1763).

Derivation: Greek paronykhia, a whitlow; application uncertain.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: None

Description:
Annual or perennial herbs, sometimes woody at the base, with erect to procumbent stems, glabrous or scabrid-pubescent; leaves opposite or verticillate, small, 4-12 mm long, in clusters, with large scarious silvery stipules.

Flowers small, greenish, in axillary clusters more or less concealed by scarious or almost hyaline bracts; sepals 5, usually hooded; petals minute or 0; staminodes present or absent; stamens 2-5; styles bifid.

Capsule enclosed in the calyx, indehiscent or opening from the base in 5 valves.

Distribution:  About 50 species in temperate and warm parts of the world.

Biology: No text

Key to Species:

1. Leaves glabrous but with scabrid-denticulate margins, acute; bracts ovate, concealing the flowers; flowers in large white silvery clusters	P. argentea 1.
1. Leaves finally hairy, pungent; bracts acute, not concealing the flowers; flowers in numerous axillary clusters	P. brasiliana 2.

Author: Not yet available