Biophytum abyssinicum Steud. ex A. Rich.

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Picture: Mark Hyde
Base of rocky hill near Mazvikadei Dam wall.

Picture: Bart Wursten
Ngomakurira, Chinhamora CL

Habit
Escarpment Brachystegia woodland
Nsumbu National Park
May 2020
Photo: Nick Wightman

Flower
Escarpment Brachystegia woodland
Nsumbu National Park
May 2020
Photo: Nick Wightman

Seedpods
Escarpment Brachystegia woodland
Nsumbu National Park
May 2020
Photo: Nick Wightman

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:	Biophytum reinwardtii (Zucc.) Klotzsch subsp. abyssinicum (Steud. ex A. Rich.) Steen. Oxalis abyssinica (Steud. ex A. Rich.) Walp.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Small annual herb. Leaves in a rosette at the apex of a short stem, thinly textured, paripinnate, the ultimate pair largest, somewhat like a miniature leaf of Brachystegia spiciformis in shape. Flowers in pseudo-umbels on long peduncles, white, pink or pale yellow; pedicels about 2 times as long as the calyx.
Type location:	Ethiopia
Notes:	The leaves of this species are sensitive and the leaflets quickly fold downwards along the rhachis when touched.
Derivation of specific name:	abyssinicum: of Abyssinia (Ethiopia)
Habitat:	Mopane and Brachystegia woodland, usually in damp, shady places
Altitude range:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in tropical Africa
Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca):	N,C,S
Zambian distribution (Provinces):	N,Lk,S
Growth form(s):	Annual.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Monday 20 July 2020
Literature:	Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 93. Exell, A.W. (1963). Oxalidaceae Flora Zambesiaca 2(1) Pages 156 - 158. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 65. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 82. Pickering, H. & Roe, E. (2009). Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area Helen Pickering, London Page 89. (Includes a picture). Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Page 142. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 221.

Other sources of information about Biophytum abyssinicum:

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Flora of Caprivi: Biophytum abyssinicum
Flora of Malawi: Biophytum abyssinicum
Flora of Mozambique: Biophytum abyssinicum
Flora of Zimbabwe: Biophytum abyssinicum

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Biophytum abyssinicum
African Plant Database: Biophytum abyssinicum
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Biophytum abyssinicum
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Biophytum abyssinicum
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Biophytum abyssinicum
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Biophytum abyssinicum
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Biophytum abyssinicum
JSTOR Plant Science: Biophytum abyssinicum
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Biophytum abyssinicum
Plants of the World Online: Biophytum abyssinicum
Tropicos: Biophytum abyssinicum
Wikipedia: Biophytum abyssinicum