Their stems are fleshy and articulated, mostly glabrous with the exception of hairy tufts at the nodes, rarely with papillae-like trichomes or woolly.

The flowers sit solitary or in groups of up to 4 in the axils of upper leaves (bracts), with 2 paired bracteoles.

Flowers consist of 5 subequal membranous perianth segments, that are free nearly from base; 3-5 stamens without appendages; and an ovary with 2-3 thick and short stigmas.

[1] The genus name Anabasis was published in 1753 by Carl von Linné in Species Plantarum.

[4] Anabasine is also the active principle responsible for deaths from poisoning caused by the leaves of Nicotiana glauca, the Tree Tobacco.