Description: Succulent perennials with long prostrate stems, densely papillose without vesicular hairs; branches angular.
Leaves opposite, flat, persistent, the pairs equal in size, ovate to cordate, entire; petiole wide, partly ensheathing stem.
Flowers solitary, usually terminal, shortly pedicellate. Perianth tubular, lobes 4, 2 larger and opposite. Petaloid staminodes many, purplish red; stamens many. Ovary inferior, 4-locular with numerous ovules; styles fused for most of their length, 1–3-lobed at apex.
Fruit a hygroscopic capsule; valves not winged; expanding keels contiguous; seeds many, compressed, circular, tuberculate.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 2 species, southern Africa. Australia: 1 species (naturalized).
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs & J. Highet
Taxon concept:
| One species in NSW: Aptenia cordifolia |
|
