Subshrubs [herbs or shrubs], perennial. Roots fibrous. Stems ± prostrate, semiwoody at base, with vesicular, peltate, hairlike scales. Leaves cauline, alternate [opposite], sessile; stipules absent; blade flat, margins entire; earlier leaves larger within 1 growing season. Inflorescences axillary, flowers solitary, sessile; bracts absent. Flowers bisexual, inconspicuous, 2–3 mm diam.; calyx tubular; calyx lobes [4 or]5, white, pink, or yellow, linear, oblong, or lanceolate-oblong; petals and petaloid staminodia absent; nectary glands absent; stamens 10, paired, pairs alternating with calyx lobes; pistil 2–5-carpellate; ovary superior, 2–5-loculed, angled; placentation apical-axile; ovule 1 per locule, with long funicles; styles 2–5; stigmas 2–5. Fruits capsules, 3–5-angled, leathery, apex 3–5-lobed, truncate, dehiscence loculicidal at apex of angles. Seeds 2–5, black, ribbed, triangular to compressed and reniform, 1 mm, shiny, tuberculate; arils absent.

Distribution

Introduced; s Africa, Australia.

Discussion

Species 27 (2 in the flora).

The two species of Galenia introduced in the flora belong to subgenus Kolleria (C. Presl) Frenzl as emended by R. S. Adamson (1956; 21 spp.). Kolleria is characterized by alternate, obovate leaves over 5 mm wide, four or five perianth segments, and four or five styles.

The key below is adapted from A. Prescott (1984).

Selected References

Adamson, R. S. 1956. The South African species of Aizoaceae III. Galenia L. J. S. African Bot. 22: 87–127.

Prescott, A. 1984. Galenia. In: R. Robertson et al., eds. 1981+. Flora of Australia. 23+ vols. Canberra. Vol. 4, pp. 50–52.

Lower Taxa

Galenia pubescens, Galenia secunda

Key

1	Leaves and stems gray-green; younger stems with sparse, closely appressed scales, 0.5 mm; calyx lobes white to pink adaxially; styles 5	Galenia pubescens
1	Leaves and stems gray-white; younger stems with abundant, loosely appressed scales, 1.5 mm; calyx lobes white to yellow adaxially; styles usually 4	Galenia secunda