Lobelia livingstoniana R.E.Fr.

Lobeliaceae, M. Thulin. Flora Zambesiaca 7:1. 1983

Morphology General Habit

Perennial, erect or ascending, rhizomatous herb, 7–25 cm. tall.

Morphology Stem

Stems not or sparsely branched, angular, narrowly winged, glabrous.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 5–13 x 2–4 mm., denticulate, all leaves of similar shape, lanceolate to narrowly ovate or elliptic, acute, rather spreading; epidermis with small cells on both surfaces.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in lax racemes; pedicels up to 22 mm. long, glabrous or papillose; at least lower bracts similar to stem leaves; bracteoles linear, 0·2–0·5 mm. long, at or near base of pedicel.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Hypanthium

Hypanthium obconical to obovoid, c. 10–nerved.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx–lobes narrowly triangular, erect or spreading, 1·2–2·5 mm. long, with 1–2 pairs of teeth at the margin.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 7–9·5 mm. long, blue, with two distinct bumps in the mouth of the tube, split to c. 0·4 mm. from the base on the back, papillose inside on the bottom of the tube.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments linear, the 2 lower pubescent at the base, connate for most of their length, attached to the corolla–tube at the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther–tube ±1·5 mm. long, shortly pubescent on the back of the upper thecae, the two lower anthers each with a tuft of hairs and a hyaline appendage at the apex.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary subinferior.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule c. 10–nerved with 2 valves ± 1 mm. long, inferior part of capsule 2–4 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds elliptic–oblong in outline, compressed, 0·4–0·5 mm. long, almost smooth, brown.