chloranthaceae are fragrant shrubs or herbaceous plants, that only produce side branches on the new growth. the stems are mostly cylindrical, with solid internodes, thickened nodes in many species, that carry evergreen leaves arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the stem, with stipules that have merged with that of the opposing leaf. the small flowers are seated directly on the axis of the inflorescence. petals are absent in this family, and sometimes so are sepals. the flowers can be either hermaphrodite or of separate sexes. the fruit is drupe or berry, consisting of one carpel.