Much-branched scrambling or straggling, bushy herb, prostrate to erect or scandent, ± 0.3–3 m. and probably more.. Stem, branches and inflorescence-axis ridged, glabrous to rather densely furnished with multicellular brownish hairs.. Leaves cordate-ovate to deltoid-lanceolate, subacute to acuminate, glabrous or with scattered multicellular hairs on the veins of the lower leaf surface; lamina of leaves from central part of stem 1.5–8 × 1–5 cm., very shortly cuneate to truncate or cordate at the base, with a slender 1–4 cm. petiole; upper and branch leaves smaller, more shortly petiolate.. Inflorescence of axillary and terminal elongate thyrses 8–40 cm. long, formed of distant few-to rather many-flowered cymose clusters which may be loose with slender branches up to ± 5 mm. long or dense and congested; clusters thus varying from ± 3–18 mm. in diameter.. Bracts and bracteoles lanceolate-acuminate, 1–1.5 mm., glabrous, membranous with a brownish or yellowish midrib.. Perianth-segments oblong, ± 2.5 mm., concave and strongly hooded at the apex, glabrous, 1-nerved, pink, white or greenish, drying straw-coloured with a darker or greenish central vitta.. Free portion of filament longer than the sheath, sinuses slightly rounded with no intermediate teeth.. Stigmas 2(–3), 0.75 mm., divergent.. Style practically absent.. Ovary 2–4-ovulate, thickened above.. Capsule oblong-clavate, exserted, 2–2.5 mm., the apex spongy-incrassate so that the style is frequently inserted in a definite depression.. Seeds 1–1.25 mm., compressed, shining, black, ornamented with a very fine reticulate pattern which is faintest in the almost smooth centre of the seed.. Fig. 1.
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