Asperula L.

Woodruffs

17 species in Aust. (16 endemic, 1 naturalized); all states and territories except NT

Annual or perennial, rhizomatous herbs with 4-angular stems. Stipules leaf-like and, together with the leaves, forming a whorl of 2–9 “leaves” at the nodes. “Leaves” sessile or nearly so; the lower ones often reflexed. Flowers in terminal or axillary cymes. Calyx absent. Corolla tubular, 4-lobed. Anthers exserted. Style 2-lobed. Fruit usually schizocarpic.