Zygophyllum
Source:
SSA
Description:
Subshrubs, rarely shrubs; often spiny. Branches sometimes jointed. Leaves opposite, (1)2-foliolate, usually fleshy, sometimes early deciduous; leaflets variable in shape, sometimes quite small; stipules membranous, herbaceous or spiny. Flowers solitary or 2 together. Calyx with 4 or 5 sepals, often somewhat fleshy, sometimes connate at base, occasionally outer 2 gibbous at base, persistent or deciduous, imbricate. Petals 4 or 5, usually sessile, sometimes clawed, imbricate, white, yellow or orange. Disc 8-10-angled, somewhat fleshy. Stamens 8-10, inserted at base of disc; filaments terete, with an entire, bifid or 2-partite appendage. Ovary sessile on disc, often 4- or 5-angled or globose, usually 4- or 5-locular with 2-many pendulous ovules in each locule; style simple, terete, longer or shorter than ovary; stigma minute. Fruit a capsule, 4- or 5-locular; 4- or 5-angled or -winged. Seeds few to several in each locule, crustaceous; with endosperm. x = 11 (8, 9, 10) (polyploidy).
Distribution:
Species +/- 120, Mediterranean region to central Asia, mostly in the drier parts of Africa and Australia; 44 in sthn Afr., mainly in dry, brackish areas of the southern part of Namibia, and in Botswana, Free State, Northern and Western Cape.