Pachycarpus spurius (N.E.Br.) Bullock

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 1–5 annual stems arising from a long cylindrical vertical rootstock, sometimes with a few fusiform laterals.

Morphology Stem

Stems erect, 0.8–2 m long, unbranched, densely pubescent with spreading white hairs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with petiole 3–10(–15) mm long, pubescent; lamina lanceolate to broadly ovate, 6–13 × 3–8.5 cm, apex acute or obtuse, base rounded and slightly cordate, margins scabrid, venation prominent with numerous parallel secondary veins, pubescent on both upper and lower surfaces with minute scabrid hairs

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

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

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts filiform, ± 10 mm long, pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels 1.5–2.3(–3) cm long, densely pubescent Fruiting pedicel contorted.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx lobes ovate to lanceolate, 6–11(–14) × 3–4(–7) mm, acute, pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla globose-campanulate, glabrous or minutely papillate within, pubescent outside, reddish purple or occasionally cream outside, white, cream or purple within, often with darker veins; lobes oblong ovate or obovate, (11–)14–22 × (6–)8–14 mm, acute or obtuse, recurved at the tip

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Staminal column stipitate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corona

Corona lobes arising from the base of the stipe, dorsiventrally flattened, spreading below, erect or slightly recurved above, spatulate, 10–20 × 4–8 mm, the dilated apex acute to truncate or emarginate, entire or variously toothed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther wings triangular, 3–4 × 1–1.5 mm, convex, appendages broadly ovate, 1–2 × 1.5 mm, acute and inflexed over apex of stylar head; corpusculum black, ovoid, 0.8–1 × 0.6 mm; translator arms 0.6–0.8 × 0.1–0.2 mm, flattened.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pollinia

Pollinia elliptic or oblanceolate, 1.2 × 0.5–0.6 mm, flattened

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 Inflorescences Peduncles

Peduncle not elongating in fruit. Peduncles 2–4.5 cm long, densely pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Follicle ovoid, ± 7 × 3–3.5 cm, somewhat inflated, with 4 or 6 broad longitudinal apically toothed wings, pubescent, not erect

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Mature seeds not seen.

Ecology

Montane grassland and Brachystegia or Protea bushland woodland, sometimes in disturbed sites; (1200–)1500–2100 m

Note

The corona lobes of Stolz 553 from Kyimbila in southern Tanzania are unusual in possessing a pair of triangular teeth adnate to the gynostegial stalk. However, these are not attached to the free part of the corona and in all other respects the specimens match P. spurius.

Distribution

Flora districts: T4 T5 T7 T8 Range: Montane regions of S Congo-Kinshasa, Malawi

Goyder, D. J., Gilbert, M. G. & Venter, H. J. T. (2020). Apocynaceae (part 2). In: M. A. García (ed.), Flora Zambesiaca, Vol. 7(3). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Type

Malawi, Shire Highlands, Buchanan 451 (K holotype).

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb with 1–5 annual stems arising from a long cylindrical vertical rootstock, sometimes with a few fusiform laterals; stems 0.8–2 m long, unbranched, erect, densely pubescent with spreading white hairs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with petiole 3–10(15) mm long, pubescent; lamina 6–13 × 3–8.5 cm, lanceolate to broadly ovate, apex acute or obtuse, base rounded and slightly cordate, margins scabrid, venation prominent with numerous parallel secondary veins, pubescent on both upper and lower surfaces with minute scabrid hairs

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal and extra- axillary with 4–9 flowers in a nodding or secund umbel, peduncles 2–4.5 cm long, densely pubescent; bracts c.10 mm long, filiform, pubescent; pedicels 1.5–2.3(3) cm long, densely pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx lobes 6–11(14) × 3–4(7) mm, ovate to lanceolate, acute, pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla globose-campanulate, glabrous or minutely papillate within, pubescent outside, reddish purple or occasionally cream outside, white, cream or purple within, often with darker veins; lobes (11)14–22 × (6)8–14 mm, oblong ovate or obovate, acute or obtuse, recurved at the tip

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Staminal column stipitate; corona lobes arising from the base of the stipe, dorsoventrally flattened, spreading below, erect or slightly recurved above, 10–20 × 4–8 mm, spathulate, the dilated apex acute to truncate or emarginate, entire or variously toothed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther wings 3–4 × 1–1.5 mm, triangular and convex

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Peduncles

Peduncle not elongating in fruit; fruiting pedicel contorted; follicle c.7 × 3–3.5 cm, ovoid and somewhat inflated, with 4 or 6 broad, longitudinal, apically toothed wings, pubescent, not erect

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Mature seeds not seen.

Distribution

Occurs in montane regions of Malawi, southern Tanzania and southern D.R. Congo.

Ecology

Montane grassland and Brachystegia or Protea scrub woodland, sometimes in disturbed sites; (1200)1500–2400 m.