Tetradenia

Soft shrubs or small trees, usually ± leafless at flowering, with brittle or semi-succulent stems. Leaves often semi-succulent, crenate-dentate, aromatic. Inflorescence terminal, paniculate, the ultimate branches spike-like; bracts small, ovate-triangular. Flowers functionally unisexual, in whorls of 4-10, mauve or whitish. Calyx minute, campanulate, 3-lobed, the lateral lobes often emarginate or 2-fid, giving the calyx a 5-lobed appearance. Corolla tubular or funnel-shaped with 4-lobed limb; the upper lobe emarginate or 2-fid so that the corolla also may appear to have 5 lobes. Stamens 4 or 0 in female flowers. Style exserted.