Streptocarpus solenanthus Mansf.

Gesneriaceae, Ian Darbyshire. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2006

Type

Type: Tanzania, Ulanga District, Sali, Schlieben 1878a (B†, holo.)

Morphology General Habit

Monocarpic acaulescent herb

Morphology Leaves

Unifoliate, leaf often pendant; blade ovate to oblong, 6–35 cm long, 3.5–21 cm wide, base cordate, rarely attenuate, margin shallowly crenate-serrate, apex usually withered, spreading-pubescent, particularly on the upper surface and nerves beneath; lateral nerves 11–22 pairs, parallel, spreading, impressed above, raised beneath; petiolode less than 1 cm long, pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences solitary or up to 4(–7), arising from the petiolode, erect, 5–40-flowered, panicles subcorymbiform or rarely more elongate; peduncles 3–15(–22) cm long, eglandular-pubescent, the hairs in the lower part longer anddeflexed; pedicels 7–22 mm long, shortly pubescent; bracts ovate-lanceolate to oblanceolate, 4–6(–9) mm long, pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx lobes oblong-lanceolate, 1.5–3.5 mm long, shortly pubescent on both surfaces

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla white to pale lavender-blue, the latter sometimes restricted to the inner limb, 22–35 mm long, shortly eglandularpubescent outside; tube cylindric, 17–30 mm long, (3–)4–5.5 mm deep, scarcely widened to the open mouth, slightly downcurved towards the apex, glabrous within; limb only slightly oblique, lobes small in relation to tube, spreading; upper lip of two rounded lobes, 2–4.5 mm long, (2–)3–5.5 mm wide; lower lip 5–10 mm long, lobes rounded, 3–6 mm long, (2.5–)4–6 mm wide

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens arising from the upper third of the corolla tube.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments 3–4 mm long, thickened centrally, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther thecae subtriangular to rounded, 0.75–1 mm wide, pale purple-tinged.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Staminodes

Staminodes minute

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary cylindric, 11–16 mm long, densely shortly eglandular-pubescent, the hairs somewhat spreading; narrowing into the style, white, 4–8 mm long, pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma shallowly bilobed, 0.9–1.2 mm wide, papillose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule slender, 40–80 mm long, 1–2 mm diameter, sparsely pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 0.4–0.65 mm long, reticulate.

Ecology

Epiphytic in forest or lithophytic on shaded or exposed rock faces; (1150–)1350–2100 m

Conservation

This species is somewhat local in distribution. However, it has significant populations in several highland areas of southern Tanzania, northern Malawi and eastern Zimbabwe, appearing rare only in eastern Zambia. It is an adaptable species, being at home in both closed forest as an epiphyte, and in exposed, rocky environments. The latter are largely unthreatened by anthropogenic factors, thus this species is assessed as of Least Concern (LC)

Note

Corolla colour in this species displays significant geographic variation. Within our region, plants from the northern and eastern parts of the range, for example in Morogoro and Ulanga Districts, have exclusively white corollas, whereas those from further south, such as in Songea District tend to be pale lavender-blue, at least on the limb, the tube often remaining whitish.

Distribution

Range: Southern Tanzania to northern Malawi and eastern Zambia with an isolated population in eastern Zimbabwe Flora districts: T6 T7 T8