Fls us. in cymes, ebracteate, bracteate only at base, or with lflike bract associated with each fl., occ. solitary and terminal; calyx persistent; corolla-tube infolded to form "scales" or "glands" at throat, lobes contorted in bud; stamens with anthers either at least partly below scales, or wholly above scales; ovary 4-celled, style slender; nutlets 4, smooth and shining, mostly dark brown or black when mature. Annual or perennial hairy herbs. More than 50 spp. mostly of temperate lands. Of 34 spp. in N.Z. all are endemic except possibly some forms here included under the Australian , and perhaps .

Annual, biennial or perennial, ± hairy herbs. Habit from cushion form to erect or sprawling. Infl. usually cymose, ebracteate or bracteate, often enlarged at fruiting. Calyx 5-toothed, often accrescent. Corolla ± rotate; tube short, infolded to form 5 scales at throat; limb of 5 equal lobes, patent or concave, contorted in bud, blue, purple, white, yellow, brown or orange. Stamens with anthers either partly below scales (sect. ) or wholly above them (sect. ). Ovary 4-celled; style slender. Nutlets 4, ovoid, brown or black, smooth and glossy, often with a distinct rim.