Amorphophallus abyssinicus (A. Rich.) N.E. Br.
subsp. unyikae (Engl. & Gehrm.) Ittenb.

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Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae

Photo: Alistair Hull
Nyakasanga Safari area / Mana Pools NP boundary.

Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae

Photo: Alistair Hull
Nyakasanga Safari area / Mana Pools NP boundary.

Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae

Photo: Alistair Hull
Nyakasanga Safari area / Mana Pools NP boundary.

Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae

Photo: Mike Bingham
Wasa Lodge, grown from seed Lusaka.

Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae

Photo: Mike Bingham

Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae

Photo: Mike Bingham
Mfuwe S road.

Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae

Photo: Mike Bingham
Lusaka, Cultivated at Protea Hill Farm.

Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae

Photo: Janet Fisher
Kitwe

Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae

Photo: Lynne James
Chitaki River, Urungwe District.

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Amorphophallus unyikae Engl. & Gehrm.
Common names: Black arum (English) Nkona (Tonga: Zimbabwe)
Frequency:
Status: Native
Description:
Perennial herb, growing from a tuberous root. Leaf solitary, palmately divided into 1-2-pinnate segments on a long, fleshy stalk. Inflorescence usually solitary, appearing before the leaf on a short fleshy stalk; spathe very dark brownish-purple inside, often paler outside. Unpleasantly scented. Fruit bright orange-red when ripe on a much extended stalk.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: abyssinicus: of Abyssinia (Ethiopia). Unyikae: the type specimen from Unyika, Mbeya District, Tanzania.
Habitat: In damp places in deciduous woodland.
Altitude range: (metres) 500 - 1700 m
Flowering time:Oct - Dec
Worldwide distribution: Tropical and sub-tropical Africa, parts of the Middle East and India.
Zimbabwe distribution: N,W,C
Growth form(s): Tree, shrub over 2 m.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

Bolnick, D. (2007). A Guide to the Common Wild Flowers of Zambia and Neighbouring Regions Revised Edition. WECS, Lusaka, Zambia

Haigh, A. & Boyce, P. (2012). Araceae Flora Zambesiaca 12(1) Pages 40 - 41.

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 85. as Amorphophallus abyssinicus

Mayo, S.J. (1985). Araceae Flora of Tropical East Africa Page 29.

Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32


Other sources of information about Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae:

Our websites:

Flora of Caprivi: Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae
Flora of Malawi: Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae
Flora of Mozambique: Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae
Flora of Zambia: Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae

External websites:

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


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Amorphophallus abyssinicus subsp. unyikae.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=112010, retrieved 28 March 2024

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