Description: Small, densely papillose, succulent annuals.
Leaves opposite, spathulate to linear-spathulate, entire.
Flowers solitary, terminal and axillary, pedicellate. Perianth tubular, 5-lobed; lobes unequal in size, 2 smaller with membranous margins. Petaloid staminodes many, flattened; stamens 5–10, filaments flattened, much shorter than the staminodes. Ovary inferior, 5-locular, each with numerous ovules; placentation parietal; styles 5.
Fruit a hygroscopic capsule; valves winged; loculus grooves very small or absent; placental tubercles absent; seeds many, triangular.
Distribution and occurrence: World: 7 species, southern Africa. Australia: 1 species (naturalized).
Text by S. W. L. Jacobs & J. Highet
Taxon concept:
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