Description :

• Perennial herbs, nearly stemless, mainly rhizomatous, usually associated with water, monoecious or flowers bisexual
• Leaves radical, alternate, simple, long-petioled, ovate- to orbicular-cordate, entire, lobed or crenate; stipules adhering to petioles
• Flowers unisexual or bisexual, small, in compound spikes, sometimes with male flowers above and female below
• Calyx 2- or 3-lobed, or sometimes 0, or imperfect in male flowers
• Petals (0)2, small, concave
• Stamens 1 or 2; anthers oblong, basifixed, longer than filaments
• Ovary inferior, 1-locular, with a solitary, pendulous ovule; styles 2, papillose
• Fruit a fleshy or leathery drupe, compressed, 3-angled or subglobose
• x = 17 (12)

Nomenclature:

• Gunneraceae
  • Harvey: 571 (1862) ( Halorageae )
  • Mendes: 79 (1978) ( Haloragaceae )

Distribution & Notes:

• Global : Genus 1, species 40, southern hemisphere
• Southern Africa : Genus 1, species 1

References:

• HARVEY, W.H. 1862. Halorageae . Flora capensis 2
• MENDES, E.J. 1978. Haloragaceae . Flora zambesiaca 4

Resources:

• Gunneraceae genus: Gunnera