Description: Herbs or shrubs, cystoliths present, sometimes with short, spinescent branchlets along main axes.
Leaves sessile in axillary clusters.
Inflorescences axillary clusters of 1–5 flowers, usually with 1 flower mature at a time; peduncles long, often dichotomous; bracts and bracteoles small. Calyx segments 5. Corolla tube wider above with 2 longitudinal folds, 2-lipped; upper lip erect and shallowly notched, lower lip recurved and 3-lobed. Stamens 2. Ovary with 2 ovules per loculus.
Capsule club-shaped; seeds 4, with hard, conical tubercles all over.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 10 species, West Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Malesia & Australia. Australia: 2 species (endemic), Qld, N.S.W.
Text by J. Everett
Taxon concept:
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