Annuals [perennials]. Stems erect, sometimes prostrate, glabrous or hairy. Leaves cauline, opposite; petiole present; blade not leathery, margins serrate [crenate]. Inflorescences terminal, racemelike; bracts present. Flowers: sepals 5, connate 1/2+ length, calyx bilaterally to radially symmetric, ellipsoid, winged, lobes triangular-ovate; petals 5, corolla usually white, violet, purple, or blue [red, pink, or yellow], bilaterally symmetric, bilabiate, campanulate, tube 21–36(–40) mm, abaxial lobes 3, adaxial 2, connate, forming erect to spreading adaxial lip; stamens 4, didynamous, abaxial filaments glabrous, appendage absent [present], adaxial filaments glabrous, appendage absent; staminode 0. Capsules: dehiscence initially poricidal, later loculicidal and septicidal. Seeds 250–400, white to gold, cylindric. x = [8]9.

Distribution

Asia, Africa, introduced also in Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America, Europe, Australia.

Discussion

Species ca. 50 (1 in the flora).

In addition to the two widely cultivated taxa, Torenia fournieri and T. fournieri × T. concolor Lindley, T. thouarsii (Chamisso & Schlechtendal) Kuntze is found as a weedy species introduced in Central America and South America.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Torenia fournieri