Flora of New Zealand Series

Fls minute, axillary, solitary, ebracteate. Calyx subcampanulate, shortly obtusely 3-4-lobed. Corolla-tube short, lobes 5, subequal. Stamens 2 or 4, inserted on corolla-tube, filaments filiform, anther-cells diverging at base, confluent at apex. Ovary 2-celled, style dilated in upper part into a broad spathulate stigmatic lamella us. curving over stamens. Capsule globular to ovoid, covered by persistent calyx, 2-valved, loculicidally dehiscent from central axis. Seeds small, ovoid. Slender creeping matted herbs rooting at nodes. Lvs entire, opp. or in fascicles. Perhaps 5 spp. of Australia, N.Z., Asia, Africa.