Greek cheir — hand, anthos — flower, referring to the 5 anthers that stand up hand-like on one side of the ovary, hence the common name.
Inconspicuous small shrubs or climbers unless in flower. Leaves alternate or clustering, more or less linear, margins entire or toothed. Flowers irregular, solitary or in terminal clusters. Petals free, spreading from the base; sky blue. Stamens arranged to one side of the ovary; anthers longer than filaments, golden yellow, each with 2 pores or slits at the tip; tips often cohering. Ovary shortly stalked, with 2 chambers, each containing numerous ovules. Fruit a 2-valved capsule, purple-green, becoming brown and brittle with age and dryness.
About 10 species in southern Australia, 1 widespread in E and southern Australia, several endemic to the NSW/Qld border region, 2 endemic to SA, the remainder mostly in S WA.
Seed or cuttings.
Golden anthers aligned in a row, contrasting with the sky or deep blue flowers.
Source: (2002). Pittosporaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.