Epilobium capense Buchinger ex Hochst.

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Picture: Bart Wursten
Near Dam 2, Nyika National Park

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Synonyms:	Epilobium bojeri Hausskn. Epilobium flavescens E. Mey. ex Harv. Epilobium sp. 2 sensu Brenan in F.T.E.A, Onagraceae: 4 (1953).
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Perennial herb, up to 1·2 m. tall, growing from a more or less vertical underground stem, densely set with thick white fleshy scales; stems with weakly marked elevated lines decurrent from the margins of the petioles. Leaves opposite near the base, alternate above, narrowly ovate to narrowly lanceolate, 2–5 cm long, finely strigulose, usually on margins and veins; margin usually more or less coarsely serrate, especially in the upper half; petiole 1–2·5 mm. long, short but distinct. Inflorescence densely strigose mixed with glandular trichomes; flowers erect or somewhat drooping in bud. Sepals narrowly oblong, 4·2–10 mm long. Petals obovate, 6–16 mm long, bright rose-purple, paler purplish, creamy or white, notch at the apex. Anthers white; filaments pale rose to white. Styles 5–15 mm long, pale rose to white; stigma distinctly 4-lobed, held above the anthers in larger-flowered plants. Capsules 3–9 cm. long, densely strigulose mixed with glandular trichomes, erect, on a pedicel 1–6 cm long.
Type location:	South Africa
Notes:	See the similar Epilobium salignum for comparison, which differs in narrower eliptic leaves and an entire (not 4-lobed) stigma.
Derivation of specific name:	capense: of the Cape
Habitat:	Moist areas in montane grassland.
Altitude range:	1350 - 2200 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	South-western Tanzania, Malawi, eastern Zambia (Nyika only), eastern Zimbabwe and Easten Cape, Southern Cape, South Africa. Also on mountains in central Madagascar.
Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca):	E
Zambian distribution (Provinces):	Mc
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Wednesday 3 April 2019
Literature:	Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 220. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 24. 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. Raven, P.H. (1978). Onagraceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Pages 343 - 345. (Includes a picture). Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 96.

Other sources of information about Epilobium capense:

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Flora of Malawi: Epilobium capense
Flora of Zimbabwe: Epilobium capense

External websites:

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