Amphilophium crucigerum (L.) L.G. Lohmann

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Along roadside on hill behind La Rochelle Hotel

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Synonyms:	Pithecoctenium crucigerum (L.) A.H. Gentry Pithecoctenium echinatum (Jacq.) Baill.
Common names:	Monkey comb (English)
Frequency:	Local
Status:	Introduced
Description:	Perennial climber. Leaves 2–3-foliolate, terminal one often replaced by a tendril; leaflets ovate or subcircular, 3.3–18 cm long, cordate at base; petiole 3–7 cm long. Inflorescences terminal, up to 15-flowered. Calyx 8–12 mm long. Corolla white with yellow throat, tubular-campanulate, 3.5–6 cm long often with 90° bend in middle of tube. Fruit oblong to ellipsoid, 24–31 cm long, echinate. Seeds winged.
Notes:	Commonly cultivated in gardens. The species was originally included as a possibly naturalised plant on rather slender evidence. Meanwhile it has been recorded from various places where it appears to become invasive, such as disturbed woodland near La Rochelle Hotel; montane and riverine forest in the Vumba; around the campsite and chalets in Chirinda Forest and in riverine fringes near Arcturus. These records are an indication that this species could eventually, if not controlled, become a serious invader in Zimbabwe.
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:	Forest edge and disturbed woodland
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Native from Mexico to Argentina and in the West-Indies.
Zimbabwe distribution:	C,E
Growth form(s):	Climber, liane.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Saturday 8 October 2011
Literature:	Bidgood, S., Verdcourt, B. & Vollesen K. (2006). Bignoniaceae and Cobaeaceae Flora of Tropical East Africa Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Page 14. As Pithecoctenium crucigerum

Other sources of information about Amphilophium crucigerum:

Our websites:

Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Amphilophium crucigerum

External websites:

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