Swertia tetrandra
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Photo: Bart Wursten
Mt Rukotso, Nyanga
Photo: Bart Wursten
Mt Rukotso, Nyanga
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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)
| Synonyms: | |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | Uncommon |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Erect annual herb, up to 18 cm. Stems simple or branching at the apex, 4-ridged. Leaves opposite, widely spaced, sessile, ovate to elliptic-oblong. Flowers terminal, 4-numerous, whitish with greenish veins. Fruit a small ellipsoid, beaked capsule. This species is easily distinguished as is the only Swertia in Zimbabwe with 4 corolla lobes. |
| Type location: |
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| Notes: | The Zimbabwe population is well separated and isolated from those elsewhere in East Africa. |
| Derivation of specific name: | |
| Habitat: | In damp montane grassland. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | 2100 - 2300 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. |
| FZ divisions: | E |
| Growth form(s): | Annual. |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Images last updated: | Tuesday 28 February 2006 |
| Literature: |
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 53. Paiva, J. & Nogueira, I. (1990). Gentianaceae Flora Zambesiaca 7(4) Page 31. |
Other sources of information about Swertia tetrandra:
External websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Swertia tetrandraAfrican Plant Database: Swertia tetrandra
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Swertia tetrandra
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Swertia tetrandra
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Swertia tetrandra
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Swertia tetrandra
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Swertia tetrandra
JSTOR Plant Science: Swertia tetrandra
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Swertia tetrandra
Plants of the World Online: Swertia tetrandra
Tropicos: Swertia tetrandra
Wikipedia: Swertia tetrandra