Iochroma Benth.

Solanaceae, Jennifer M Edmonds. Oliganthes, Melongena & Monodolichopus, Maria S. Vorontsova & Sandra Knapp. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2012

Morphology General Habit

Shrubs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate, lamina often decurrent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal, subaxillary or axillary, usually in fascicles of 3–many flowers, sometimes in pairs or solitary; pedicels erect or pendent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx urceolate, cupulate or campanulate, enclosing the basal part of the corolla tube, with five short sometimes unequal teeth

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla with the long narrow basal part terminating in five to ten short apical lobes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens with filaments fused to lower half to third of corolla tube, filiform above where glabrous, becoming thicker and villous below especially where fused to corolla tube; anthers elongate, basifixed (appearing dorsifixed)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 2-locular, ovules numerous; disc annular, smooth; style filiform but becoming thicker towards the ovary and stigma, glabrous, usually included; stigma capitate or clavate, bilobed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a berry, either wholly or partially enclosed by accrescent calyx

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds numerous, orbicular to reniform, often mixed with sclerotic granules.

Note

15–16 woody species native to humid western South America. Many are planted for their ornamental value in tropical and subtropical gardens. The Iochroma specimens cultivated in Kenya and Tanzania have been variously identified but they predominantly belong to one species namely I. cyaneum (Lindl.) M.L. Green. One specimen, possibly belonging to I. coccinea Scheid., has been recorded from Nairobi (see below). The plants can, however, also occur as escapes in ruderal habitats.