7145.010 Phyla Lour.

Creeping perennial herbs, rooting at the nodes. Leaves opposite, simple, subentire to toothed; lamina with appressed, medifixed hairs. Inflorescences ± long-pedunculate, axillary, short, ovoid to cylindric, very dense bracteate spikes. Calyx membranous, 2-lobed, flattened. Corolla with short tube and spreading irregularly ± 4-lobed limb. Stamens 4. Fruit of 2 nutlets, enclosed by a persistent calyx.

Derivation of name: from the Greek phylon meaning a swarm or school, probably in reference to the spreading mat-like growth of these species.

Worldwide: c. 11 species in tropical and warm areas

Zimbabwe: 2 taxa.