Description of the family:
Shrubs, hemiparasitic on the branches of woody dicotyledons, attached by woody haustoria, with or without surface runners producing secondary haustoria. Stems brittle, not articulated. Stipules 0. Leaves alternate or opposite, rarely whorled, simple. Flowers bisexual, 4-5-merous, borne singly or in racemes, umbels or heads. Calyx fused, often a low rim. Corolla usually large and colourful, often red and yellow. Petals free or united into a tube. Ovary inferior. Fruit a 1-seeded berry.
Worldwide:
75 genera and 1000 species in tropical and temperate areas.
Zimbabwe:
14 genera and 36 taxa.
- Actinanthella Balle
- Agelanthus Tiegh.
- Englerina Tiegh.
- Erianthemum Tiegh.
- Globimetula Tiegh.
- Helixanthera Lour.
- Oliverella Tiegh.
- Oncocalyx Tiegh.
- Pedistylis Wiens
- Phragmanthera Tiegh.
- Plicosepalus Tiegh.
- Spragueanella Balle
- Tapinanthus (Blume) Rchb.
- Vanwykia Wiens