Herbs or small shrubs. Stipules present (in ours). Leaves ± entire or dentate. Flowers bisexual, yellow, reddish, purplish or white, 1-several on axillary peduncles. Bracts 1 or 2 on the peduncle or 0 (kirkii). Calyx 5-lobed. Petals 5. Filaments variously shaped. Ovary 5-locular. Capsule dehiscent with 5 valves. Derivation of name: Named after Paul Herman (1640-1695), Prof. of botany in Leyden and early collector at the Cape. Worldwide: Over 100 species in tropical and warm areas Malawi: 2 taxa. The larvae of the following species of insect eat species of this genus: |