Carvalhoa K.Schum.

Apocynaceae, A. J. M. Leeuwenberg & F. K. Kupicha et al. Flora Zambesiaca 7:2. 1985

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or small tree, repeatedly dichotomously branched and with 2 inflorescences in the forks when flowering, with white latex.

Morphology Stem

Branchlets terete.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, those of a pair equal or unequal, shortly petiolate or sometimes sessile; petioles or leaf–bases of a pair united at the base and forming a very short ocrea, with a single row of colleters in the axils; lamina elliptic, narrowly elliptic, or narrowly obovate, cuneate, rounded or subcordate at the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence pedunculate, corymbose, lax.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts caducous before the flowers open.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers actinomorphic except for the slightly curved corolla tube.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx pale green, persistent, even under the fruit.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla white, creamy, or pale yellow, with many red longitudinal lines at the base of the lobes and at the apex of the tube; tube longer than the calyx; lobes spreading(?) or suberect in bud overlapping to the left.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens included; anthers sessile, narrowly triangular, acuminate at the sterile apex, sagittate at the base, hirto-pubescent outside on the connective and inside between the tails, introrse.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Pistil glabrous; ovary broadly ovoid, composed of 2 free carpels, surrounded by an entire disk, which is united with the distal sides of the ovary; style only slightly widened at the apex; clavuncula composed of an entire, thin, slightly recurved ring and a subglobose head, topped by 2 parallel linear erect stigma-lobes.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style and stigma remaining on the ovary when the corolla is shed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit composed of 2 free carpels which usually both develop and which dehisce adaxially; wall soft, orange inside.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds surrounded by a darker orange pulpy aril, few, rather large, obliquely ellipsoid or ovoid; at the hilar side with one deep groove to half their width, less deeply grooved at the other sides, minutely pustulate; endosperm copious, starchy, creamy, ruminate, surrounding the spathulate embryo.