Description: Annual or perennial herbs or subshrubs.
Leaves opposite, basal leaves ± petiolate, upper leaves sessile and ridged across stem.
Inflorescences terminal racemes or rarely flowers solitary; bracteoles absent. Sepals 5, fused only at base, ± enlarged in fruit. Corolla 2-lipped; tube very short and produced into a sac or pouch; upper lip 4-lobed, lower lip entire or emarginate with a convex palate at base. Stamens 4, didynamous, inserted in the mouth of the corolla tube; anthers 1-locular, cohering around the stigma. Stigma 2-lobed or simple.
Capsule ± laterally compressed, 2-locular, septicidally dehiscent, valves boat-shaped; seeds many, ± ellipsoid, winged.
Distribution and occurrence: World: c. 70 species, southern Africa. Australia: 1 species (naturalized).
Text by W. R. Barker
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Nemesia strumosa |
|
