Globimetula Tiegh.

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

Morphology Stem

Stems mostly 0.5–2(4) m long, generally from a single attachment, but sometimes scandent with numerous secondary haustoria, hairless but sometimes with papillae on youngest parts and umbels

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, subopposite or ternate, penninerved but second–fourth(fifth) main lateral nerves often closer, stronger and more ascending Leaves opposite, subopposite or ternate, penninerved but second–fourth(fifth) main lateral nerves often closer, stronger and more ascending.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style skittle-shaped above; stigma turbinate to peltate

Note

Differs from Tapinanthus by its pollination mechanism; the apical swelling of the flower bud signals maturity by changing colour and when prodded the petals curl back to expose the fertile column, further probing of a secondary vent at the base of the filaments then causes the stamens to flick inwards scattering the pollen explosively.

Distribution

13 species in tropical Africa.

Morphology General Habit

Stems mostly 0.5–2(4) m long, generally from a single attachment, but sometimes scandent with numerous secondary haustoria, hairless but sometimes with papillae on youngest parts and umbels.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers 2–20 in umbels (often with 1–2 aborted flowers on the peduncle), 5-merous; bracts at base of peduncle and pedicels small, triangular; flower bract obliquely cupular, with a short triangular or bifid limb, sometimes gibbous or spurred. Flowers 2–20 in umbels (often with 1–2 aborted flowers on the peduncle), 5-merous; bracts at base of peduncle and pedicels small, triangular; flower bract obliquely cupular, with a short triangular or bifid limb, sometimes gibbous or spurred

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx shorter to longer than the receptacle, cupular or flared, subentire, normally ciliolate. Calyx shorter to longer than the receptacle, cupular or flared, subentire, normally ciliolate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla pink or red, sometimes white to green on upper or lower part, the apical swelling often darkening as bud ripens, with pronounced apical (sometimes winged) and basal swellings, splitting unilaterally more than halfway, the lobes revolute. Corolla pink or red, sometimes white to green on upper or lower part, the apical swelling often darkening as bud ripens, with pronounced apical (sometimes winged) and basal swellings, splitting unilaterally more than halfway, the lobes revolute

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens involute; anthers 4-thecous, emarginate, with distinct connective and the outer pair of thecae shorter and sometimes set lower. Stamens involute; anthers 4-thecous, emarginate, with distinct connective and the outer pair of thecae shorter and sometimes set lower

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Style skittle-shaped above; stigma turbinate to peltate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Berry red to yellow, depressed globose to ellipsoid; seed also brightly coloured. Berry red to yellow, depressed globose to ellipsoid; seed also brightly coloured.