Struthiola L.

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

Morphology Branches

Branches 4-angled or terete, usually with prominent leaf-scars

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles

Bracteoles 2, conduplicate, usually ciliate Bracteoles 2, conduplicate, usually ciliate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube cylindric, slightly widened at the apex, circumscissile above or below the top of the ovary, glabrous or hairy; lobes 4, much shorter than the tube, imbricate, the two outer slightly larger than the inner Calyx tube cylindric, slightly widened at the apex, circumscissile above or below the top of the ovary, glabrous or hairy; lobes 4, much shorter than the tube, imbricate, the two outer slightly larger than the inner.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 4, 8 or 12, erect, fleshy, exserted, each surrounded by stiff hairs arising from the base Petals 4, 8 or 12, erect, fleshy, exserted, each surrounded by stiff hairs arising from the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, in one whorl, inserted in the throat of the calyx tube, subsessile, alternating with the calyx lobes; anthers linear to oblong, basifixed, included or slightly exserted; pollen spheroid, polyforate Stamens 4, in one whorl, inserted in the throat of the calyx tube, subsessile, alternating with the calyx lobes; anthers linear to oblong, basifixed, included or slightly exserted; pollen spheroid, polyforate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary sessile or subsessile, 1-chambered, glabrous; disk surrounding the base of the ovary inconspicuous, cup-shaped, often lacking; style filiform, inserted laterally, half as long to almost as long as the calyx tube; stigma minute, ± capitate, papillose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit dry, included in the persistent base of the calyx tube, indehiscent Fruit dry, included in the persistent base of the calyx tube, indehiscent.

Distribution

A genus of c. 30 species, mainly in southern Africa, 3 or 4 in eastern and south-east tropical Africa.

Morphology General Habit

Shrubs or undershrubs of ericoid habit. Shrubs or undershrubs of ericoid habit

Morphology Stem

Branches 4-angled or terete, usually with prominent leaf-scars.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, 3-whorled or alternate, sessile; lamina entire, linear to ± round, often ciliate on the margins, coriaceous or subcoriaceous, parallel-veined. Leaves opposite, 3-whorled or alternate, sessile; lamina entire, linear to ± round, often ciliate on the margins, coriaceous or subcoriaceous, parallel-veined

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers fragrant at dusk, 4-merous, sessile, usually in the axils of the upper leaves, solitary, rarely in pairs, forming a spiciform inflorescence. Flowers fragrant at dusk, 4-merous, sessile, usually in the axils of the upper leaves, solitary, rarely in pairs, forming a spiciform inflorescence

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary sessile or subsessile, 1-chambered, glabrous; disk surrounding the base of the ovary inconspicuous, cup-shaped, often lacking; style filiform, inserted laterally, half as long to almost as long as the calyx tube; stigma minute, ± capitate, papillose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed with a shiny black crustaceous testa, the micropyle forming a curved beak; endosperm scanty; embryo straight; cotyledons fleshy. Seed with a shiny black crustaceous testa, the micropyle forming a curved beak; endosperm scanty; embryo straight; cotyledons fleshy.