4854.000 Melianthus L.

Shrubs or sub-shrubs, sometimes short lived; stems often hollow, branching near ground; often strongly scented. Stipules paired or fused and intra-petiolar, persistent. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets 5-27, margins coarsely serrated, rarely sinuous or entire; rhachis with serrated or entire wings. Inflorescence racemose, terminal or axillary; flowers alternate or whorled, apical flowers sometimes sterile forming a red crown. Sepals 5, greenish or reddish; petals 4, reddish. Fruit capsules, membranous, 4-winged. Seeds small glossy, black.

Derivation of name: 8 species in Southern Africa.

Zimbabwe: 1 cultivated taxon.