species descriptions: FTAs

Undershrub, not at all or very rarely scandent. Branches straight, about the thickness of a crowquill, closely rusty-tomentose. Leaves opposite or in verticils of 3 (or 4), oblong-lanceolate or oblong, subacute or rather obtuse, cuspidate or mucronate, more or less rounded at the base, appressed-pilose more or less above, silky-pilose or pilose-lanate beneath, subsessile or very shortly petiolate, with a pair of minute glands at the insertion of the petiole (Dr. Welwitsch), 1 1/2-2 in. long, 5-8 lines broad. Flowers in 3-4-flowered pedunculate umbels from the axils of the upper leaves, often forming a large loose panicle; flower-bearing lateral branches 1-2 1/2 in., usually bearing a pair of small leaves at or near the base of the umbels. Pedicels 1/2-1 1/2 in., with a pair of scale-like bracts above or near the middle. Flowers 1/2- 3/4 in. in expansion. Sepals obovate-oblong, eglandular or glands not apparent when dry. Petals shortly unguiculate; lamina crisped-denticulate. Filaments subulate, very shortly united at the base. Ovary densely hairy. Fruit-carpels with an ascending obliquely oblong or obovate-oblong, obtuse, appressed-silky wing, about 3/4 in. long and 4-5 lines broad.