Commicarpus pentandrus (Burch.) Heimerl

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Photo: Paul Hubbard
Near Matobo Mission, Matobo Hills

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Synonyms:	Boerhavia burchellii Choisy Boerhavia pentandra Burch. Boerhavia transvaalensis Gandoger
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Mat-forming herb with procumbent, branched stems, growing from a woody root-stock. Leaves broadly ovate or elliptic to almost round, 1-6 cm long, slightly fleshy, more or less crisped pubescent on both surfaces, particularly on the veins. Inflorescences in whorls or irregularly branched on a stout more or less pubescent erect peduncle. Flowers 9-15 mm long and c. 15 mm in diameter, purple, magenta or pinkish-red with sticky glands scattered on the surface, often with 5 more prominent glands near the apex. Stamens 4-6, usually 5, 11-17 mm long. Fruit 7-10 mm long with wart-like sticky glands along the sides particularly prominent around the apex.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	pentandrus: with 5 stamens.
Habitat:	In grassland, often on floodplain areas, and clearings in forest or woodland.
Altitude range: (metres)	Up to 1400 m
Flowering time:	Oct - Jan
Worldwide distribution:	Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.
Zimbabwe distribution:	W,C
Growth form:
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects (whose larvae eat this species):
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Sunday 11 December 2011
Literature:	Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 378 - 379. (Includes a picture). Stannard, B.L. (1988). Nyctaginaceae FZ 9(1) Pages 18 - 20. (Includes a picture).

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Other sources of information about Commicarpus pentandrus:

Flora of Mozambique: Commicarpus pentandrus
African Plant Database: Commicarpus pentandrus
Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Commicarpus pentandrus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Commicarpus pentandrus
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Commicarpus pentandrus
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Commicarpus pentandrus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) taxonomy for plants report for Commicarpus pentandrus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Commicarpus pentandrus
JSTOR Plant Science: Commicarpus pentandrus
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Commicarpus pentandrus
Tropicos: Commicarpus pentandrus
West African Plants database: Commicarpus pentandrus