Cleome L.
Herbs, sometimes subshrubs. Lvs simple or digitate-compound. Fls solitary or in racemes, actinomorphic or subzygomorphic. Sepals 4, fused or free, persistent or caducous. Petals 4, sessile or clawed, equal or subequal. Stamens (4)-6-(10), free or adnate at base to form a short androgynophore; anthers usually exserted. Ovary on a gynophore; stigma sessile or style very short. Fr. a siliquiform capsule, glabrous or hairy. Seeds many, small, reniform.
150 spp., tropical, especially Africa. Naturalised sp. 1.
