Source:
SSA
Synonym(s):
Microtea Sw.: 53 (1788) in part; Hill: 455 (1912) in part. Wallinia Moq.: 143 (1849b).
Description:
Herbs, sometimes suffrutescent at base. Leaves linear. Inflorescences slender spikes, bracteate, in clusters of (2)3. Flowers bisexual, regular, small. Tepals 4 or 5, sometimes unequal. Stamens 4, included or slightly exserted; filaments free; anthers 2-thecous, elongate. Ovary subglobose; ovule solitary on short, basal funicle; styles 4, very short, usually connate below; stigmas 4. Fruit an achene, subglobose, enclosed in persistent perianth, muricate, warty, or ridged. Seed with membranous testa; endosperm present; embryo curved.
Distribution:
Species 4, confined to Africa; all in sthn Afr., mainly arid regions, Namibia, Botswana, Northern Province, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State, N KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape.
Classification:
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