| Stenopetalum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Stenopetalum sp. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Brassicaceae |
| Genus: | Stenopetalum R.Br. ex DC. [1] [2] |
Stenopetalum (common name thread petal) [3] is a genus in the Brassicaceae family which is endemic to Australia. [4] It was first described by Robert Brown in 1821. [1] [2]
There are 11 species in the genus. [5] [6]
Plants in this genus may be annuals or perennials. They are erect and may be with or without hair. The sepals are saccate (shaped like a pouch or sack) and have two forms. The petals are clawed and drawn out into a long, narrow apex. There are six stamens. The fruit opens at maturity to release the seeds. There are four to twenty mucous seeds in each locule, arranged in two rows. [4]
The name Stenopetalum derives from the Greek, stenos, ("narrow"), and the Latin, petalum, ("petal"), and describes plants in the genus as having long, narrow petals. [4]