Pachycarpus pachyglossus Goyder

Apocynaceae (part 2), David Goyder, Timothy Harris, Siro Masinde, Ulrich Meve, Johan Venter. Flora of Tropical East Africa, 2012

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb with 1–3 annual stems arising from a vertical tuberous rootstock.

Morphology Stem

Stems erect, 0.2–0.5 m tall, usually unbranched but sometimes branching below, densely pubescent with spreading white hairs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with petiole 1–5 mm long, pubescent; lamina lanceolate to ovate or oblong-ovate, 4.5–10 × 1.5–4 cm, apex acute, obtuse or rounded, base rounded or truncate, usually slightly cordate, margins scabrid, venation prominent with numerous parallel secondary veins, indumentum of spreading white hairs on both upper and lower surfaces

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal and extra-axillary with 4–9 unscented flowers in a secund umbel.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Peduncles

Peduncles ascending or erect, 1–5 cm long, densely spreading-pubescent, not elongating noticably in fruit.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts lanceolate or filiform, 5–11 mm long, pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx lobes ovate, 7–11 × 4–7 mm, acute, densely pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla campanulate, pubescent on outer face, glabrous within, green or brownish green; lobes 9–10 × 5–6 mm, ovate or oblong, apex subacute, strongly recurved at the tip

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corona

Corona lobes arising from the base of the staminal column, green or brown, erect, broadly oblong, 4–5 × 5–8 mm, dorsiventrally flattened but slightly convex and distinctly fleshy above, as tall as the staminal column or shorter, truncate or slightly retuse, with no teeth or lobes on the inner face

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynostegium

Gynostegium shortly stipitate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther appendages broadly ovate, ± 2 × 2 mm, inflexed over stylar head; corpusculum dark brown, broadly ovoid-rhomboid, 0.8–1 × 0.8 mm; translator arms 0.5–0.6 × 0.2–0.3 mm, flattened and geniculate distally, with a short clasping overlap with the pollinia. Anther wings triangular, 3 × 1 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pollinia

Pollinia obovate, 1.1 × 0.5–0.6 mm, not stongly compressed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Stylar head flat, 3–4 mm diameter, forming a raised circular cushion ± 1 mm above top of anthers

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Fruiting pedicel contorted. Pedicels 1–1.5 cm long, densely pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Follicle narrowly ovoid, ± 9 × 2.5 cm, with 6 longitudinal toothed ridges, pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds not seen

Figures

Fig 108/1–3, p 447

Ecology

Montane grassland; 1800–2400 m

Distribution

Range: Endemic to the mountains around Sumbawanga Flora districts: T4