Coptosperma littorale (Hiern) Degreef

Rubiaceae, D.M.Bridson & B.Verdcourt. Flora Zambesiaca 5:3. 2003

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or small tree 1–9.6 m tall, glabrous; young branches square in section, covered with off- white to very pale grey bark.

Morphology Leaves

Leaf blades 3–10 × 1.3–6 cm, ovate to sometimes obovate, occasionally oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, rounded to obtuse at apex, cuneate at base, coriaceous, dark green and shiny above, paler beneath, with recurved margins; lateral nerves in c. 5 main pairs; tertiary nerves rather coarsely reticulate, not raised above, usually raised and/or drying dark below; domatia as conspicuous depressions lined with hairs often prominent on upper surface; petiole 0.4–1.4 cm long; stipules brownish when dry, 0.5–1 cm long, ovate to triangular, caducous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal, sessile or pedunculate (i.e. supporting leaves small or fallen), congested, corymbose; primary inflorescence branches 3 or sometimes 1 if lateral pair absent, 1.2–2.5 cm long; pedicels absent or very short; bracteoles subtending the calyx tube, opposite with 2 or 4 small scale-like to shortly subulate lobes.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube not exceeding 0.75(1) mm long; limb up to 0.5 mm long, divided almost to base into rounded teeth.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla whitish; tube narrowly funnel-shaped, 3–4 mm long, glabrous outside, sparsely hairy inside; lobes 1.75–3 × c. 1 mm, ± oblong, obtuse.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary Placenta

Placenta small, bearing 2–3 pendulous ovules.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit black when dry, 5–7 × 4–6 mm, spherical or slightly longer than wide, 1-seeded; calyx limb persistent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed blackish-brown, spherical, 4 mm in diameter, finely reticulate; hilar cavity small, irregular; endosperm deeply ruminate.