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Synonyms: | |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | Frequent |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Shrubby annual or perennial herb, up to 60(100) cm tall. Leaves variable from very narrowly elliptic to elliptic-oblong, 2-8 cm long, from nearly hairless to crisped pubescent; margin entire, sometimes rolled under, particularly in drier areas. Inflorescences in lateral racemes c. 5-8 cm long. Flowers pink to purplish with wing sepals more or less yellowish, often with a distinctly purple-tinged margin. Capsule 4-6 mm long, broadly oblong, narrowly winged at the margin. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Habitat: | Various woodland and grassland habitats. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1300 m |
Flowering time: | Nov - Apr |
Worldwide distribution: | Through the eastern half of Africa from Ethiopia to Mpumalanga, South Africa. Also in DRC. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,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: | Friday 2 September 2011 |
Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 45. As Polygala sphenoptera sphenoptera Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 29. As Polygala sphenoptera sphenoptera Exell, A.W. (1960). Polygalaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(1) Pages 315 - 316. (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 67. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 93. Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 97. |
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