Citation: Banks & Sol. ex Gaertner, Fruct. 1:124 (1788).

Derivation: Greek nerteros, lowly; alluding to the prostrate habit.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: None

Description:
Delicate herbs with vaguely quadrangular to terete branches; leaves opposite, petiolate, with the stipules connate with the petioles to form a sheath around the node; flowers single, terminal, or in the axils of leaves due to sympodial growth, bisexual, 4- or 5-merous; calyx scarcely lobed, persistent; corolla tube funnel-shaped to rotate, glabrous or with few hairs outside; stamens with filaments connate to the base of the corolla tube; anthers without terminal appendages; ovary inferior, with 2 locules each with 1 ovule, with 2 almost sessile filiform stigmas; fruit drupaceous, with 2 or 1 pyrenes. About 12 species widespread in the Southern Hemisphere except Africa, but also into China and Formosa; growing usually in wet sheltered places.

Biology: No text

Key to Species:

1. Plants glabrous, mat-forming	N. granadensis 1.
1. Plants hairy, with prostrate branches loosely spreading.	N. reptans 2.

Author: Not yet available