D. Bridson, J. Degreef, & M. Thulin (2006) Rubiacae. Flora of Somalia 3: 61-110
PLants perennial herbs or slender shrubs. Leaves sessile; stipules sheathing the stems; blades linear to lanceolate. Inflorescences terminal corymbs, often spikelike or racemelike, or of axillary flower clusters, or of solitary flowers. Flowers: calyces with 4 narrow lobes; corolla tubes narrowly cylindrical, lobes 4, valvate in bud; ovaries 2-celled, with numerous ovules attached to peltate placentas at the base of the dividing wall; styles with oblong stigma lobes, usuall exserted. Fruits capsules with distinct beaks, longitudinally dehiscent; seeds angular, smooth or almost so.
Conostomium has 4 species, all native to tropical Africa.