Dyschoriste Nees

Acanthaceae (part 2), Kaj Vollesen. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2008

Morphology General Habit

Perennial or shrubby herbs or shrubs, with usually conspicuous linear cystoliths (especially on calyx); stems terete to distinctly angular

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, base decurrent into the petiole which has a distinct articulation at or up to 2 mm above base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in condensed axillary cluster-like cymes which sometimes merges into spiciform terminal panicles, more rarely solitary or in lax axillary cymes, shortly pedicellate; bracts various, outer foliaceous; bracteoles 2, filiform to linearlanceolate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 5-lobed, the lobes subequal, linear to narrowly triangular, acuminate to cuspidate, with strong often rib-like central vein

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla contorted in bud; tube with linear basal part, widened into a ± distinst inflated upper part (throat); limb from ± subequally 5-lobed to distinctly 2-lipped with 2-lobed upper and 3-lobed lower lip; lower lip with or without differently coloured pleated base, without (very rarely with) long stiff retrorse hairs; lobes oblong or obovate, rounded to truncate or irregularly toothed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, slightly didynamous, all fertile or two sterile or reduced to staminodes, held in throat; filaments linear, fused with tube at base and free part of each short and long stamen fused at base, part fused with tube hairy; anthers 2-thecous, ellipsoid, usually glabrous, with spurs at base (rarely without).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary with 2 ovules per locule; style filiform, hairy throughout, upper stigma-lobe usually minute, lower 1–2 mm long, linear-oblong, flattened, glandular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 4-seeded (or 2–3-seeded by abortion), glabrous or sparsely glandular at apex, oblong to slightly clavate, cylindric, valves sulcate dorsally, often persisting after release of seeds; retinaculae strong, curved

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds discoid, ovoid-oblong in outline, with dense hygroscopic hairs.

Distribution

Range: About 75 species, widespread in all tropical regions and subtropical in N America.