Annual or perennial glabrous herbs; lateral branches and pedicels mostly becoming swollen at the base. Basal leaves in a rosette; cauline leaves in pseudowhorls; stipules present (at least on upper leaves), membranous, small, sometimes forming a narrow rim and clasping the node. Flowers in axillary or terminal, umbel-like cymes; bracts small or vestigial. Tepals 5, free, without mucro. Stamens ca. 5, 10 or 15–25. Ovary 3-locular, with numerous ovules; styles 3, short. Fruit a loculicidal capsule. Seeds numerous, very finely reticulate to almost smooth.
WA, NT, SA, Qld, NSW. A genus of five species, two widespread across the world, and three mainly restricted to southern Africa. Only Hypertelis cerviana found in Australia.
