Description: Perennial herbs with creeping stems, rooting at the nodes.
Leaves simple, entire; hairs bifid.
Flowers axillary, solitary, bracteate. Sepals 5, free or united only at the base, subequal. Corolla campanulate with 5 distinct induplicate lobes, without any distinct mid-petaline band, glabrous. Stamens 5, filaments ± equal, glabrous. Ovary deeply 2-lobed with 2 ovules per lobe, glabrous; styles 2, inserted between the lobes, stigmas capitate.
Capsule deeply 2-lobed, indehiscent or irregularly 2-valved; lobes ± free, each with 1 or rarely 2 seeds.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 10 species, tropical regions. Australia: 2 species (native), all States except N.T.
Text by R. W. Johnson
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Leaves equally pilose on both surfaces; calyx 2.5–4 mm long, longer than the capsule; pedicels 10–50 mm long | Dichondra repens |
| Leaves pilose on upper surface, densely silky on lower surface; calyx 1.5–2 mm long, shorter than the capsule; pedicels 1–15 mm long | Dichondra sp. Inglewood (J.M.Dalby 86/93) |
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