Sericostachys Gilg & Lopr. ex Lopr.

Scandent shrub with opposite branches and leaves; indumentum of jointed barbellate hairs. Leaves entire. Inflorescences a broad panicle of “spikes”, with persistent bracts; partial inflorescences sessile on the spike-axis, consisting of 1 fertile bibracteolate flower and 2 modified sterile flowers, also bibracteolate. Fertile flowers hermaphrodite with 5 similar perianth-segments. Stamens 5, very shortly fused into a rather solid disk-like rim at the extreme base, alternating with very small pseudostaminodes; anthers bilocular. Ovary with a single pendulous ovule, glabrous, obovoid-pyriform; style filiform; stigma capitate. Sterile flowers consisting of a number of filiform hair-like appendages which become greatly elongate as fruit develops and are densely plumed with whitish hairs; bracteoles also strongly accrescent. Fruit a thin-walled indehiscent capsule enclosed by and falling with the persistent perianth and bracteoles. Endosperm copious.