Matthiola erlangeriana Engl.

Cruciferae, Bengt Jonsell (University of Stockholm). Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1982

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb, ± woody basally, richly branched, 25–150 cm. high, rather pure green, moderately covered by branched (mostly stellate) hairs as well as tuberculate glands.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves rather scattered, pinnatifid to laciniate, with indistinct petioles, 20–80 mm. long, 8–15 mm. broad, acuminate, hairy on both surfaces, glandular above; margins thickened, often involute; laciniae narrowly triangular, acuminate, entire or distantly dentate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes loose, with 10–25 flowers on 10–20 mm. long ascending pedicels, in fruit up to 60 cm. long with 15–22 mm. long slender spreading pedicels.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals linear, 9–12 mm. long, ± 1 mm. broad.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals reddish, lilac or purplish, 20–23 mm. long, 2.5–4.5 mm. broad, apically rounded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Median filaments ± 5.5 mm. long, somewhat dilated, lateral ones ± 2.5 mm. long, linear.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Nectaries

Nectary as a closed ring around each lateral stamen-base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary ± 7 mm. long; style distinct; stigma conical.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Siliqua linear or curved, 25–80 mm. long, ± 2 mm. broad, somewhat torulose, without apical horns; valves hairy and glandular; style narrow, 4.5–6 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds reddish brown to black-brown, winged, minutely foveolate, suborbicular to oblong, 1.7–2.2 mm. long (excluding wing); wing 0.2–0.6 mm. broad.

Figures

Fig. 21, p. 61.

Habitat

Grassland in Acacia bushland; 400–600 m.

Distribution

K1

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

Morphology General Habit

Perennial (?short-lived) herb, woody at base, richly branched, 25–150 cm tall, covered by branched hairs and tuberculate glands

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 20–80 x 8–15 mm, pinnatifid to laciniate; lobes narrowly triangular, entire to dentate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes elongate, lax

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels 12–22 mm long, patent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 9–12 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 20–23 x 2.5–4.5 mm, lilac to purplish

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Siliquae 25–80 x c. 2 mm, straight or curved, slightly torulose; style 4.5–6 mm long; valves thin

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds winged, 1.7–2.2 mm long (excluding 0.2–0.6 mm broad wing), suborbicular to oblong, minutely foveolate.

Distribution

S1; SE Ethiopia, NE Kenya

Ecology

Altitude range 200–280 m.