Annual or perennial herbs (in ours). Leaves stipulate, opposite or alternate. Inflorescence a 2-many-flowered pseudumbel, bracts present. Flowers zygomorphic, 5-merous. Uppermost sepal with a backwardly directed spur tightly fused to the pedicel (the spur itself is not obvious but there is a clear swelling which marks the end; this may be close to the base of the pedicel). Stamens 10, connate at base, 2-7 filaments bearing anthers. Stigmas 5. Beak of mericarps twisting helically when ripe. Worldwide: 280 species, most South African, but also in tropical Africa, India, Australia and NZ Malawi: 3 taxa. |
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