Source:
SSA
Description:
Subshrubs, sometimes diffuse and scrambling. Leaves +/- anisophyllous, entire or rarely dentate. Inflorescence terminal, spicate, sometimes reduced; bracts ovate or 0; bracteoles 2, ovate, shorter than calyx. Calyx regular; lobes 5, sometimes unequal, sometimes chartaceous and ribbed, with 2 outer segments sometimes bifid at apex; tube shorter than lobes. Corolla 1-lipped; lobes 5, oblong; aestivation imbricate; tube shorter than lobes. Androecium: fertile stamens 4, equal or subequal, arising in middle of corolla tube, exserted; filaments broadly linear; anthers monothecous; theca ciliate, muticous; staminodes 0. Pollen prolate, 3-colpate; surface with shallow reticulations. Disc annular. Gynoecium: ovary ellipsoid, swollen at base, with 1 or 2 ovules in each locule, with large sessile glands near tip; style linear, exserted; style branches 2, equal, cylindriform. Capsule woody, ellipsoid, estipitate, with inelastic placental bases. Seeds oblong, flattened, oblique at base, without hygroscopic hairs; surface rough and convolute or rugose. x = 6 or 7 (1 report, polyploidy).
Distribution:
Species +/- 12, Africa; 6 in sthn Afr., Swaziland and northern and eastern provinces of South Africa.
Classification:
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