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Hypertelis is a genus of in the family Molluginaceae. Most of its former species have been transferred to the new genus Kewa, and the remaining species, Hypertelis spergulacea, may also need a different placement. Hypertelis spergulacea is a woody-based plant, up to high, with whorled greyish green leaves. It is found on the border between Namibia and the Northern Cape province of South Africa.
The genus had grown to nine species by 2011, when molecular phylogenetic studies found that H. spergulacea appeared to be nested within the genus Mollugo, and the other eight species of the genus were included in a clade well removed from Molluginaceae, close to the families Aizoaceae, Phytolaccaceae and Nyctaginaceae. Accordingly, in 2014, a new genus, Kewa, and family, Kewaceae, were proposed to accommodate these eight species. H. spergulacea was left in the genus, although it was noted that further reorganization of Mollugo might change its placement.
Among other features, Hypotelis spergulacea can be distinguished from Kewa by its . It has more (20–30 rather than 3–15) and they are arranged in bundles. Its leaves are arranged in whorls, relatively far apart, rather than being alternate or more-or-less opposite along the stems, as in Kewa.
Former species
Species transferred to Kewa in 2014 were:
Distribution and habitat
Hypertelis spergulacea has been recorded from the border between Namibia and the Northern Cape province of South Africa. It grows at elevations of .
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