Flora of New Zealand Series

Fls small, us. bracted, 5-(4) -merous, in cymose clusters; sepals mostly united at base; stamens alt. with corolla-lobes, inserted at throat. Corolla urceolate to campanulate; staminal filaments each with fringed scale at base; ovary 2-loculed, 2-ovuled; styles distinct. Capsule ± circumscissile, embryo filiform. Parasitic annual herbs with filiform twining stems attached to host by haustoria; lvs minute, scalelike. Widespread genus with over 160 spp.