Herbs, achlorophyllous, heterotrophic. Stems absent. Leaves absent. Inflorescences racemes or cymes, erect at emergence from soil, axis fleshy but not fibrous, usually not persistent after seed dispersal, yellowish to cream, 0.5-2 cm diam. proximal to proximalmost flower. Pedicels erect, elongate in fruit; bracteoles absent. Flowers radially symmetric, erect; sepals 4(-5), distinct, lateral pair clasping corolla, canoe-shaped, other pair appressed to corolla, flattened; petals 4(-5), distinct, yellowish to cream, without basal tubercles, (abaxial surfaces glabrate, adaxial surfaces densely hairy), corolla tubular-campanulate; intrastaminal nectary disc present; stamens 8, included; filaments ± uniformly slender, pubescent; anthers horseshoe-shaped, without awns, without tubules, dehiscent by 1 slit; pistil (4-)5-carpellate; ovary 1-locular; placentation intruded-parietal; style straight, stout; stigma umbilicate, subtended by ring of crowded hairs. Fruits baccate, erect, (fleshy), indehiscent, (axis fleshy). Seeds 25-100, ovoid, not winged.
Home