Tapinanthus (Blume) Rchb.

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

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen filaments inserted near top of corolla tube, short, linear, inflexed to inrolled; tooth distinct, 0.5–1 mm long; anthers 4-thecous, short, (1.2)2–3.5 mm long, with a broad connective slightly produced at the apex Stamen filaments inserted near top of corolla tube, short, linear, inflexed to inrolled; tooth distinct, 0.5–1 mm long; anthers 4-thecous, short, (1.2)2–3.5 mm long, with a broad connective slightly produced at the apex.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style swollen opposite filaments, constricted above; stigma small, 0.4–1 mm across, obovoid to capitate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Berry usually ripening red, oblong-ellipsoid to globose, often somewhat urceolate to protraction just below persistent calyx, smooth to papillose. Berry usually ripening red, oblong-ellipsoid to globose, often somewhat urceolate to protraction just below persistent calyx, smooth to papillose.

Note

The genus is restricted here to the species in Sprague's section Constrictiflori (excluding some referred to Agelanthus). These species are characterized by an apical swelling of the corolla bud that darkens and often secretes nectar at the sutures at maturity as a signal to birds to peck it and release a targeted spray of pollen from the relatively small anthers, the corolla lobes generally reflexing. The anatomical structure of the style is also significantly different from the genera previously included in Tapinanthus that develop vents when the buds mature. As a consequence of the bud head being a signal to pollinators, it has become modified to a considerable extent with wings and appendages. Unfortunately much of the obvious variation occurs within natural polymorphic species, such as T. dependens, and limits its use to distinguish species, although the modifications often show some ecogeographic pattern. In fact the species in the Flora Zambesiaca area, apart from T. erectotruncatus which belongs to a W African group, all have very similar flowers. The distinctions between the species, based on somewhat labile features, principally hairiness, leaf-shape and calyx development, are unclear in a number of places where the ranges abut or overlap.

Distribution

30 species in tropical and southern Africa, one species extending to north Yemen, virtually absent from the Somali-Masai region, but commonly encountered in a wide range of associations elsewhere.

Morphology General Habit

Shrubs, mostly extending 0.5–2 m from a single haustorial connection; twigs slightly compressed at first, soon terete, glabrous to puberulous or velvety with small simple hairs. Shrubs, mostly extending 0.5–2 m from a single haustorial connection; twigs slightly compressed at first, soon terete, glabrous to puberulous or velvety with small simple hairs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves mostly opposite, sessile to petiolate; lateral nerves spreading, usually some of the lower ones more strongly ascending. Leaves mostly opposite, sessile to petiolate; lateral nerves spreading, usually some of the lower ones more strongly ascending

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers 2–16 in umbels, 5-merous; umbels in axils or clustered at older nodes, shortly pedunculate, perulate; bracts saucer-shaped to cupular with a small triangular limb. Flowers 2–16 in umbels, 5-merous; umbels in axils or clustered at older nodes, shortly pedunculate, perulate; bracts saucer-shaped to cupular with a small triangular limb

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx saucer-shaped to cupular or occasionally shortly tubular, almost entire, sometimes split by expanding corolla. Calyx saucer-shaped to cupular or occasionally shortly tubular, almost entire, sometimes split by expanding corolla

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla tube much longer than lobes, opening with a V-split, usually pink to purplish; bud head greenish to white, darkening at maturity, commonly angled, ribbed, winged or appendaged; basal swelling well formed; lobes attenuate to spathulate, erect or generally reflexed. Corolla tube much longer than lobes, opening with a V-split, usually pink to purplish; bud head greenish to white, darkening at maturity, commonly angled, ribbed, winged or appendaged; basal swelling well formed; lobes attenuate to spathulate, erect or generally reflexed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Disc

Disk 5-lobed. Disk 5-lobed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Style swollen opposite filaments, constricted above; stigma small, 0.4–1 mm across, obovoid to capitate.