Monogeneric - Mitrastema . Achlorophyllous, holoparasitic herbs. Parasites may form a fairy ring around the host. These cortical strands run longitudinally with the host root whereas the sinkers run radially into the xylem.
Flowers occur singly at apex of pedicel.
Inflorescence breaks through the host bark leaving at its base a persistent, corky, lenticellate cupular structure, mainly composed of host tissue. The connate staminal tube that is open at the top by a small hole, circuscissally splits as it is pushed up by the growing gynoecium. 10 anthers each. Style 1, slightly constricted, stigma thick, conical, sub-bilobed. A slightly woody berry-like capsule, dehiscing along a horizontal slit along the groove between the style and ovary.