Description: Annual to perennial herbs.
Leaves alternate, shortly petiolate or sessile.
Inflorescence terminal, of few to several monochasial (scorpioid) cymes; bract present or absent; flowers pedicellate. Sepals fused at base. Corolla actinomorphic, narrowly funnel-shaped with 5 saccate scales in the throat opposite the lobes. Stamens included; anthers ± sessile, appendages short and acute. Ovary 4-lobed; style short; stigma capitate.
Fruit of 4 spiny mericarps splitting from a low, convex gynobase.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 50–60 species, tropical & temperate regions. Australia: 3 species (2 species endemic, 1 species naturalised), all States except N.T.
Text by Peter G. Wilson
Taxon concept:
| | Key to the species | |
| 1 | Plant procumbent, inflorescence bracts similar to cauline vegetative leaves, outer face of mericarps plane, marginal glochids fused at their base only | Cynoglossum torvum |
| Plant erect, inflorescence bracts reduced and much smaller than cauline leaves, outer face of mericarps concave, marginal glochids fused below their middle, in some individuals forming a prominent wing | Cynoglossum australe |
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