Home | > | List of families | > | Rubiaceae | > | Otomeria | > | elatior |
Synonyms: |
Otomeria dilatata Hiern Pentas elatior (A. Rich. ex DC.) Walp. Sipanea elatior A. Rich. ex DC. |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Erect or rarely straggling herb 0.35–3 m tall. Leaves ovate-elliptic or rarely linear, 1.5–9.5 cm long, pubescent to densely hairy on both surfaces, or hairless above and pubescent on the veins beneath; petiole 0–6 mm long; stipules with 1–3 flat linear setae 1–5 mm long, and 2–6 short setae from a short base. Inflorescence 1–6.5 cm long, extending to 4–37 cm long in fruit; peduncle up to 30 cm long. Calyx tube c. 2 mm long, lobes very unequal, 1–3 leaf-like, lanceolate, 0.5–2.4 cm long, the rest 1–4 mm long. Corolla rose-scarlet or-crimson; tube 1.7–2.7 cm. long, sparsely hairy or hairless below; lobes ovate, orbicular or elliptic-spathulate, 0.5–1.8 cm long; throat densely hairy. Fruit oblong, compressed, 0.6–1.2 cm long, strongly ribbed, pubescent, chestnut or purple-brown. |
Type location: |
Angola |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | elatior: taller |
Habitat: | Nearly always in wet places, dambos, stream-banks and riversides, swamps, vleis, often near evergreen fringes in Brachystegia woodland; occasionally in drier areas but still near water. |
Altitude range: | 510 - 1900 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread from Mali to Cameroon, CAR and Sudan to Angola, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. |
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 |
Content last updated: | Monday 23 October 2017 |
Literature: |
Baumann, G. (2005). Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Pages 110 - 111. (Includes a picture). 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 102. as Otomeria dilatata 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 73. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 90. Verdcourt, B. (1988). Rubiaceae, Part 1 Flora Zambesiaca 5(1) Pages 79 - 82. (Includes a picture). Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 99. |
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