Home | > | List of families | > | Nyctaginaceae | > | Commicarpus | > | pentandrus |
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(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Monday 8 February 2016 |
Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 10. Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 281. (Includes a picture). 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 64. 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). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 89. Stannard, B.L. (1988). Nyctaginaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(1) Pages 18 - 20. (Includes a picture). |
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