2328.010 Pandiaka (Moq.) Hook. f.

Annual or perennial herbs; rootstock slender to tuberous. Leaves opposite, petiolate or sessile, entire. Inflorescence spicate to capitate, elongating later or not; flowers solitary in the bracts, spreading or in one species becoming deflexed after flowering. Perianth segments 5, feebly to strongly 1–3 (5)-nerved, lanceolate to narrowly oblong, usually hairy. Bracteoles 2, c. half the length of the perianth or more. Ovary with a solitary pendulous ovule; fruiting wall very thin. Perianth falling with the ripe seed, accompanied by the bracteoles or not; bracts persistent, spreading or rarely deflexed.

Worldwide: Species 12, in tropical Africa.

Caprivi: 3 cultivated taxa.