 Photos: de Kok, R. |
Subfamily
IV. Subfam. Prostantheroideae Luerssen (1882).
Subfam. Chloranthoideae Briq. (1895).
Subfam. Chloranthoideae Briq. (1895).
Dicrastylidaceae Drummond ex Harvey (1855), nom. inval.
Verbenaceae tribe Viticeae subtribe Chloanthinae Benth. (1870).
Verbenaceae tribe Chloantheae Benth. (1895).
Stilbaceae subfam. Chloanthoideae Briq.: sensu Moldenke (1959).
IV. 2. Tribe Westringieae Bartl. (1830).
Tribe prostanthereae Benth. (1834).
Description
Shrubs or subshrubs, non-aromatic or ± aromatic when crushed; branches mostly ± round in cross-section (except distal branchlets usually quadrangular in cross-section), leaves decussate, or in whorls of 3-4; inflorescence thyrsoid, with flowers on leafy branches (hence appearing axillary) and part-inflorescences cymose, usually few-flowered; bracteoles 2; calyx often appearing 2-lipped, 5-lobed (sometimes unequally); corolla pale to dark mauve, often pinkish, occasionally white, distinctly 2-lipped, 5-lobed (2/3), posterior lip erect to extended forward, anterior lip usually spreading, tube expanded in throat; stamens 4, posterior pair usually 2-thecous, but one theca greatly reduced and sometimes absent, anterior stamens with anthers 1-thecous, other theca sterile and often terminated by trichomes, all anther-connectives lacking a basal appendage, elongated beyond their insertion on the filament; fruit of 4 mericarps, enclosed or not enclosed by calyx-lobes. About 50 species, all endemic to Australia.
Distribution
Native to:
50 Australia
Synonyms
Atelandra Lindl., Sketch Veg. Swan R.: 40 (1839).
Colobandra Bartl. in J.G.C.Lehmann, Pl. Preiss. 1: 357 (1845).
Publication
Hemigenia R.Br., Prodr. 1: 502 (1810).
Image resource
© Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew