Dichapetalum braunii Engl. & K.Krause

Dichapetalaceae, F.J. Breteler (Agricultural University, Wageningen). Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1988

Morphology General Habit

Shrub, lianescent or not.

Morphology Branches

Branches glabrous or nearly so, usually dark brown, with numerous minute lenticels; branchlets shortly golden-brown hirsute when young, glabrescent.

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules early caducous, narrowly triangular, (1–)2–5 mm. long, shortly subappressed hirsute.

Morphology Leaves

Petiole (3–)4–7 mm. long, shortly hirsute; blade coriaceous, glossy on both sides, elliptic to obovate, (5.5–)7–10(–13) × (2.5–)3–4.5(–6) cm., rounded to obtuse to truncate and often slightly unequal-sided at base, obtusely to acutely short-acuminate at the tip. The acumen up to 1 cm. long, margin often ? revolute/retuse in older leaves, with (5–)6–8 main lateral nerves on each side of the midrib, nerves rather obscure above, prominent beneath, midrib usually impressed above, at least in the lower part; margin, midrib, and main lateral nerves hirsute when young, often subappressed and sparsely so, usually soon glabrescent; no glands above, beneath usually with 2 large glands near the base, flanking the midrib, and few usually smaller glands scattered over the lower surface.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences ± 3–4 times branched, sparsely puberulous to sparsely shortly hirsute; bracts and bracteoles triangular, minute, at most 1 mm. long, shortly subappressed hirsute; peduncle (3–)5–7 mm. long; pedicel (1–)2–4mm. long, articulated at or near the top, the upper part 1 mm. long at most.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals erect or slightly spreading, occasionally some reflexed, oblong, 4–5.5 × 1.5 mm., obtuse, rounded or acutish, both sides puberulous, but mainly in upper part.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals erect, narrowly obovate-oblong, ± 4.5–6 × 1 mm., glabrous, retuse or split up to 0.5 mm., often inrolled.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens erect, 4–5.5 mm. long, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Pistil 5.5–6.5 mm. long, glabrous; ovary 3-locular; style shortly 3-lobed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruits obovoid-ellipsoid, beaked, 4.5 cm. long (including 1.5 cm. beak), 1.5–2 cm. in diameter, 1-seeded, orange, glabrous; endocarp glabrous inside.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed ovoid, 2.5 × 1–1.5 cm.

Habitat

Forest edges, thickets and wooded grassland; 100–500 m.

Distribution

T8 not known elsewhere