Gomphocarpus R.Br.

Apocynaceae (part 2), David Goyder, Timothy Harris, Siro Masinde, Ulrich Meve, Johan Venter. Flora of Tropical East Africa, 2012

Morphology General Habit

Shrubby or pyrophytic perennial herbs.

Morphology Stem

Stems erect, branched or not, frequently woody below.

Morphology Roots

Root system mostly a fibrous tap root, sometimes somewhat thickened and woody, but never tuberous.

Morphology General Exudate

Latex white, copious

Morphology Leaves

Leaves generally in opposite pairs, occasionally subopposite or in whorls of 3 or 4

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences extra-axillary with flowers in a nodding umbel

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals free

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla lobes united only at the base, spreading or reflexed, abaxial face glabrous or pubescent, occasionally tomentose, adaxial face glabrous or minutely papillose, occasionally pubescent, commonly with a line of long white hairs along the right margin

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corona

Gynostegial corona of 5 minute interstaminal lobules near the base of the anther wings and 5 well-developed cucullate staminal lobes attached above the base of the staminal column, with or without teeth or processes on the upper margins and mostly lacking a tooth in the cavity Corolline corona absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Margins of anther wings straight, slightly convex or slightly sinuous; corpusculum ovoid to subcylindrical, brown or black, with or without translucent flanges up the sides; translator arms flattened and geniculate or differentially thickened.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pollinia

Pollinia flattened, oblong or oblanceolate to obovate, occasionally subtriangular, pendant in the anther cells

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Stylar head flat

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Fruiting pedicel mostly contorted to hold follicle erect, occasionally straight or weakly sinuous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Follicles generally single by abortion, variable in shape from subcylindrical to ovoid or globose, strongly inflated in some taxa, weakly or not at all in others, surface frequently ornamented with pubescent filiform processes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds generally ovate, with one convex and one concave face, verrucose, without a marginal rim, or in the G glaucophyllus group with a convoluted margin, or rarely ( G rivularis) smooth, and with an inflated rim, with a coma of silky hairs.