Flora of Tropical East Africa

Abstract

Herbs, shrubs or leafless parasites, rarely small trees, frequently twining or prostrate, less often erect. Leaves alternate, exstipulate, usually simple,entire or often lobed. Flowers usually bracteate, axillary or terminal, solitary or in various inflorescences, almost always regular, ermaphrodite save in a very few small genera. Sepals 4-5, imbricate, free or joined at the base, often accrescent. Corolla sympetalous, variable but often funnelshaped or salver-shaped, entire or 4--5-1obed, induplicate-valvate or contorted. Stamens (3-)4--5, inserted in the corolla-tube, alternating with the Jobes; pollen smooth or spinulose. Ovary superior, entire or 2-4-lobed, of 2-3 carpels, 1-4 (very rarely 3 or 5)-locular. Styles 1-2(-3), simple and terminal; stigmas 1-4, variously shaped. Fruit usually dry and capsular, rarely a berry or nut-like. Seeds 1-4 (rarely 6 or 10), with endosperm.