补骨脂属 bu gu zhi shu

Shrublets or herbs, with black glands, especially on calyx. Leaves digitately or pinnately 1-5-foliolate; stipules embracing stem by broad base; leaflets entire or denticulate. Inflorescences axillary, capitate, spicate, racemose, or fasciculate; bracts membranous, each often embracing 2 or 3 flowers. Calyx 5-toothed. Corolla purple, blue, or white; petals subequal in length, clawed. Stamens dia­delphous; vexillary stamen free or ± connate with others. Ovary sessile or shortly stipitate, 1-ovuled. Legume ovoid, indehiscent, with persistent calyx; pericarp adhering to seed. Seed without strophiole, with very short funicle.

About 33 species: mostly in Australia (ca. 23 species), one in Indonesia, one from China through India and Oman to Somalia, three in SW Asia, two in the Mediterranean region, and about three in S Africa; one species in China.

Lower Taxon

• Cullen corylifolium (Linnaeus) Medikus