六苞藤属 liu bao teng shu

Shrubs, usually climbing. Hairs stellate. Leaves opposite, simple, margin entire or serrate. Inflorescences pedunculate, capitate cymes, subtended by a whorl of 6 prominent involucral bracts. Calyx 5- or 6-dentate. Corolla white, small, tube cylindric, lobes 6-16(-18). Stamens 6-16(-18). Ovary 2- or imperfectly 4-locular; ovules 2 per locule, pendulous, only 1 fertile. Capsules indehiscent, included within an enlarged calyx. Cotyledons fleshy, usually with abundant oil.

About three species: India, Myanmar, Philippines, and Thailand; one species in China.

Lower Taxon

• Symphorema involucratum Roxburgh