Description :

• Subshrubs, sometimes diffuse and scrambling
• Leaves ± anisophyllous, entire or rarely dentate
• Inflorescence terminal, spicate, sometimes reduced; bracts ovate or 0; bracteoles 2, ovate, shorter than calyx
• Calyx regular; lobes 5, sometimes unequal, sometimes chartaceous and ribbed, with 2 outer segments sometimes bifid at apex; tube shorter than lobes
• Corolla 1-lipped; lobes 5, oblong; aestivation imbricate; tube shorter than lobes
• Androecium : fertile stamens 4, equal or subequal, arising in middle of corolla tube, exserted; filaments broadly linear; anthers monothecous; theca ciliate, muticous; staminodes 0
• Pollen prolate, 3-colpate; surface with shallow reticulations
• Disc annular
• Gynoecium : ovary ellipsoid, swollen at base, with 1 or 2 ovules in each locule, with large sessile glands near tip; style linear, exserted; style branches 2, equal, cylindriform
• Capsule woody, ellipsoid, estipitate, with inelastic placental bases
• Seeds oblong, flattened, oblique at base, without hygroscopic hairs; surface rough and convolute or rugose
• x = 6 or 7 (1 report, polyploidy)

Nomenclature:

• Sclerochiton Harv.
  • Harvey: 27 (1842)
  • Hilliard & Burtt: 109 (1970)
  • Vollesen: 1 (1991)

Distribution & Notes:

• Global : Species ± 12, Africa
• Southern Africa : Species 6, Swaziland and northern and eastern provinces of South Africa