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Synonyms: |
Blastania cerasiformis (Stocks) Meeuse Blastania fimbristipula Kotschy & Perr. Zehneria cerasiformis Stocks |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Perennial climbing herbs with annual stems. Leaves broadly ovate in outline, deeply palmately 3-5-lobed, roughly hairy above and on the veins below, cordate at the base; margin coarsely toothed or lobed. Large and conspicuous stipule-like bracts with long ciliate margins are present above the leaf axils, subtending the inflorescences. Flowers in axillary racemes; small, c. 5 mm in diameter, pale yellowish. Fruit subspherical, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, red when ripe. |
Notes: | A very distinctive and readily recognizable species with its circular, ciliate stipule-like 'probracts'. |
Derivation of specific name: | cerasiformis: cherry-like, referring to the small red fruits. |
Habitat: | In woodland and wooded grassland, often along the margins of lakes and rivers. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1000 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in the Old World tropics from Senegal to East Africa and to northern South Africa. Also through Asia as far as India. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,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: | Wednesday 20 January 2010 |
Literature: |
Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 83. (Includes a picture). Jeffrey, C. (1978). Cucurbitaceae Flora Zambesiaca 4 Pages 460 - 462. (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 38. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 52. |
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