Shrublets, with creeping stems rooting at nodes. Leaves alternate, imbricate, sessile, lanceolate, obtuse or acute. Inflorescence a head, terminal at first. Flowers unisexual or bisexual; floral tube shortly cylindric; sepals 4, white, persistent in fruit; corolla lobes scale-like, 4 or 4 pairs, in throat of floral tube opposite sepals; stamens 4, inserted in floral tube, alternate with sepals; nectary disc absent; ovary with lateral style, stigma capitate, papillose.
About 11 species in Borneo, New Guinea, south-eastern Australia and New Zealand; particularly diverse in New Zealand with 9 species, 2 of which extend into Australia, 1 of these also occurring in New Guinea.
Source:
Entwisle, T.J. (1996). Thymelaeaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 3, Dicotyledons Winteraceae to Myrtaceae, pp. 912–930. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
