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Synonyms: |
Portulaca caffra Thunb. |
Common names: | Porcupine-root (English) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Erect or suberect perennial herb, up to 40 cm tall, growing from a swollen tuber-like root. Leaves and stems somewhat fleshy. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, up to 6 × 1.5 cm; margin sometimes rolled under. Flowers axillary, mostly solitary, rarely in clusters of 2-3, yellow,up to 2 cm in diameter, opening in the afternoon and fading by nightfall. Fruit a subglobose capsule. Seeds c. 20, shiny black with a white hilum, 1.5-2 mm in diameter, with raised concentric ridges on the surface (visible with a lens). |
Notes: | Similar to T. tenuissimum and T. arnotii. The 3 species are mainly separated on the surfaces of the seeds and leaf shapes. |
Derivation of specific name: | caffrum: from Kaffraria, or South Africa |
Habitat: | In open woodland and grassland. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1550 m |
Flowering time: | Nov - Mar |
Worldwide distribution: | From Ethiopia, Sudan to Angola, Namibia and South Africa |
Zimbabwe distribution: | W,C,E,S |
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 23 January 2017 |
Literature: |
Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 305. (Includes a picture). Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 216. (Includes a picture). Linley, K. & Baker, B. (1972). Flowers of the Veld Bundu Series Longman Zimbabwe Page 33. 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 68. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 94. Wild, H. (1961). Portulacaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(2) Pages 370 - 371. (Includes a picture). |
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