Esterhuysenia

Low shrublets, 200-300 mm high, with smooth, reddish stems from which a reddish powder may flake off; roots fibrous. Leaves decussate, always equal and similar, ascending or spreading, lower side rounded, upper side flattened, apiculate, up to 12 mm long, minutely tuberculate, often tinged with red. Flowers terminal, solitary, up to 20 mm in diameter, pedicellate. Sepals 5. Petals magenta. Stamens papillate at base; staminodes 0. Nectary a crenulate ring. Ovary slightly convex on top; placentas parietal; stigmas 5. Fruit a 5-locular capsule, of +/- Lampranthus type, obconical, woody; expanding keels parallel at base, divergent at points; valve wings very narrow, often absent in old capsules; covering membranes flexible, +/- covering the locules; closing bodies 0. Seeds D-shaped, +/- 1.2 mm long, brown, testa rough. F lowering spring and summer. D istinguishing characters: dwarf shrublets with reddish stems; leaves often red-tipped, fruit flat on top, valve wings very narrow, often absent in old capsules.