Bejarieae

Bejarieae may be diagnosed by their separate petals (char. #44) a feature they share with a few other Ericaceae (see Fig. 18). In fact, this character may be a synapomorphy of Bejaria, Ledothamnus, and Bryanthus, but the placement of Bejaria is not, at present, strongly supported. Ledothamnus and Bryanthus also share ericoid leaves (char. #13). Possible additional synapomorphies for Ledothamnus and Bryanthus are the presence of adaxial calyx stomata (char. #42), and a style articulated with the ovary (char. #73). Finally, Ledothamnus and Bryanthus differ from Bejaria in the lack of an endothecium. The Bejarieae may be sister to Phyllodoceae (Fig. 7) although this relationship is not supported in some most parsimonious trees; both clades are characterized by homogeneous pith (char. #8), which may be synapomorphic.

Bejarieae

Bejarieae Copeland, Am. Midl. Nat., 30: 547, 1943. – Type genus: Bejaria Mutis ex L. Low shrubs, evergreen, with alternate or 3-4 whorled or decussate ericoid to flat leaves, revolute in bud. Leaf epidermal cells not lignified. Indumentum of glandular and elongate, or non-glandular hairs. Inflorescence terminal or axillary, racemose to paniculate, or a solitary flower; bracts present, bracteoles paired, ± basal to just below calyx; calyx articulated or continuous with pedicel. Flowers 4—7(-9)-merous, actinomorphic. Calyx lobes variable in size, persistent or withering-persistent; corolla ± choripetalous, rotate, campanulate, salverform, fusiform or infundibular; stamens (5-)-6-14(-18), the filaments straight, smooth pubescent; anthers smooth or roughened, lacking appendages, dehiscing by short to elongate slits. Pollen with viscin threads. Ovary 4—7-locular, with axile placentation, superior; style articulated with the ovary; stigma truncate to capitate. Fruit a septicidal capsule, warty in Ledothamnus, seeds with ± isodiametric to elongate testa cells; embryo with 2 cotyledons.

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