Maerua macrantha Gilg

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit

Scandent or straggling shrub, up to 3 m tall; stems and leaves glabrous or rough by short stiff hairs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple; blade thick, ovate to broadly elliptic, 20–60 x 14–43 mm, obtuse, midrib and 2 pairs of basal lateral nerves ± raised beneath; petiole up to 6(–12) mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Flowers few in short corymbose racemes; pedicels 5–22 mm in fruit

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Receptacle

Receptacle cylindrical, 6–13 mm long, widening upwards

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 12–24 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 3–10 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens c. 25–40; anthers 3–4.5 mm long; androgynophore exceeding receptacle by 3–5 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary cylindrical, 4–5 mm long; gynophore 14–22 mm long, straight

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruits cylindrical, c. 3–5.5 x 1–1.5 cm, very torulose, glabrous or rough-puberulous, the seeds in 2–4 often interrupted rows.

Distribution

N2, 3; E Ethiopia, Kenya

Ecology

Altitude range 30–1000 m.