Description: Annual or perennial herbs.
Leaves opposite, sessile; stipules sheathing.
Flowers in axillary clusters, bisexual, mostly 4-merous. Calyx with 2–5 often unequal teeth, persistent in fruit. Corolla funnel-shaped or trumpet-shaped, white, lilac or purple. Stamens fused to the corolla tube at the throat; anthers exserted. Ovary mostly 2-locular; stigma 2-lobed.
Fruit dry, splitting into 2 indehiscent carpels, 1-seeded, crowned by the persistent calyx.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 35 species, chiefly in tropical regions., mostly America, a few species in Africa. Australia: 1 species (naturalized).
Text by T. A. James & W. K. Allen
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Diodia teres |
|
