About 1500 species of annuals and perennials, nearly all from the southern hemisphere, especially Australasia and South Africa. They are closely related to Edraianthus and have been confused with that genus, especially in the nursery trade. They differ in having usually solitary flowers on long pedicels without immediately subtending bracts, and in having seed capsules which open at the apex by regular valves.
Most species are short lived or on the borderline of hardiness, but are easily grown in the unheated alpine house in a well drained compost in a sunny position. A few species are suitable for the rock garden, scree, raised bed or dry wall. Propagation is by seed in spring or cuttings of young growth in late spring; division in early autumn or spring is possible in the species which spread by rhizomes. The species described here are mainly from New Zealand and Australia. Apart from W. undulata, the South African species have only occasionally been available, but a description, with some photographs, in The Botany of the Southern Natal Drakensberg by Hilliard and Burtt, suggests that many more, especially those from high altitudes, would be welcome additions to our alpine house plants and possibly to the garden, as they should be as hardy as the diascias which grow in the same area.
a, W. albomarginata; b, W. consimilis; c, W. undulata;