Melianthus L.
Subshrubs or shrubs, often unpleasantly scented. Lvs imparipinnate, with rachis often winged; leaflets opposite, asymmetric, toothed. Racemes axillary or terminal, sometimes very short and few-flowered; fls usually conspicuous. Calyx 5-lobed, very unequal. Petals with spathulate limb. Disc large, variously adnate to sepals. Stamens 4, didynamous; filaments orange-red, free. Ovary 4-celled, lobed; ovules 2-4 in each loculus; style persistent. Capsule papery to woody, 4-lobed or 4-winged. Seeds black, shiny.
6 spp., South Africa. Naturalised sp. 1.
