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Synonyms: |
Dissotis canescens (R. A. Graham) Hook. f. Dissotis incana (Naudin) Triana Osbeckia canescens E. Mey. ex R.A. Graham |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Perennial herb with annual stems up to 1.5 m tall, usually smaller. Stems unbranched or sparsely branched, purple-red, 4-angled, hairy. Leaves opposite, linear-oblong to ovate-oblong, up to 7.5 cm long, dark green or purple-brownish green above, greyish green below, 3-5- veined from the base; margin entire or rarely finely serrate. Flowers in dense clusters in the upper leaf axils, together forming compact terminal heads, pink to bright purple. Anthers dimorphous. Fruit c. 7 × 5.5 mm, crowned by the persistent sepals. |
Type location: |
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Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | canescens: becoming greyish, referring to the whitish hairs covering parts of the plant. |
Habitat: | In marshy areas, vleis and along streams, often forming extensive colonies in suitable habitat. |
Altitude range: | Up to 1660 m |
Flowering time: | Dec - Mar |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in tropical and South Africa |
Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca): | N,W,C,E |
Zambian distribution (Provinces): | Nw,N,E,C,Lk |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Literature: |
Baumann, G. (2005). Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Pages 56 - 57. as Dissotis canescens (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 22. As Dissortis canescens Fernandes, R. & A. (1961). Contribution to the knowledge of the MELASTOMATOIDEAE of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Kirkia 1 Pages 73 - 74. as Dissotis canescens Fernandes, R. & A. (1978). Melastomataceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Pages 251 - 252. As Dissotis canescens 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 61. as Dissotis canescens Plowes, D.C.H. & Drummond, R.B. (1990). Wild Flowers of Zimbabwe. Revised edition. Longman, Zimbabwe. No. 85, plate 116 Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Pages 119 - 120. as Dissotis canescens Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 95. |
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