40. Sclerolaena R. Br.

Sclerolaena R. Br., Prodr.: 410 (1810); Ising, Trans. R. Soc. S.Aust. 88: 63-110 (1964); Scott, Feddes Repert. 89: 110-114 (1978).

Cyrilwhitea Ising (1964) .

Stelligera A.J. Scott (1978) .

Bassia sensu Ising p.p. (1964) .

Shrubs with succulent leaves. Flowers bisexual, solitary or in small clusters in the leaf axils; perianth urceolate, 3-5-rnerous; fruiting perianth hardened, often vertically ribbed, with 2-5, rarely ll intertepaline spines at the apex of the perianth tube, often with an additional spine or tubercle opposite the radicle, rarely connected to a horizontal wing; stamens 5; stigmas 2. Seeds vertical to horizontal; embryo annular; radicle superior or ascending. About 80 spp., Australia.