Craterosiphon Engl. & Gilg

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 9, Part 3. Polygonaceae-Myriaceae. Pope GV, Polhill RM, Martins ES. 2006.

Morphology General Habit

Lianes, climbing shrubs or small trees with twining branches; twigs with conspicuous lenticels, glabrous Lianes, climbing shrubs or small trees with twining branches; twigs with conspicuous lenticels, glabrous.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, subopposite or rarely alternate, petiolate; blade elliptic to ovate, acuminate, chartaceous to coriaceous; lateral nerves spreading almost at right angles Leaves opposite, subopposite or rarely alternate, petiolate; blade elliptic to ovate, acuminate, chartaceous to coriaceous; lateral nerves spreading almost at right angles.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary Inflorescences axillary.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals absent or 10 minute glands inserted at the throat of the tube Petals absent or 10 minute glands inserted at the throat of the tube.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary sessile or subsessile, 1-locular, glabrous or slightly pubescent or pilose at the top; disk cup-shaped or lobed, membranous; style terminal or sublateral; stigma capitate or subcapitate, finely papillose, sometimes exserted

Distribution

About 9 species, all tropical African, mainly in the rain forest regions of central and west Africa.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers 5-merous, subsessile or shortly pedicellate, solitary or 2–4, with small, sometimes ciliate, bracts. Flowers 5-merous, subsessile or shortly pedicellate, solitary or 2–4, with small, sometimes ciliate, bracts

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube funnel-shaped, glabrous outside, glabrous or hairy inside, somewhat fleshy, not articulated, persistent; lobes 5, equal to the tube or much shorter. Calyx tube funnel-shaped, glabrous outside, glabrous or hairy inside, somewhat fleshy, not articulated, persistent; lobes 5, equal to the tube or much shorter

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 10 in 2 whorls, or practically in 1 series, attached at the middle of the tube and included or attached in the throat of the tube and exserted; filaments of those opposite the sepals usually longer. Stamens 10 in 2 whorls, or practically in 1 series, attached at the middle of the tube and included or attached in the throat of the tube and exserted; filaments of those opposite the sepals usually longer

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary sessile or subsessile, 1-locular, glabrous or slightly pubescent or pilose at the top; disk cup-shaped or lobed, membranous; style terminal or sublateral; stigma capitate or subcapitate, finely papillose, sometimes exserted.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a drupe with a sclerified pericarp, included in the persistent calyx tube. Fruit a drupe with a sclerified pericarp, included in the persistent calyx tube

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed oblong, fusiform. Seed oblong, fusiform.