Siphonochilus J.M.Wood & Franks

Zingiberaceae, J.M.Lock. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1985

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herbs from a short swollen rhizome or corm

Morphology Roots

Roots often tuberous

Morphology Leaves

Leafy shoots often produced after flowering; lamina narrowly to broadly elliptic, glabrous; ligule scarious or absent; sheaths sulcate when dry, sometimes forming a pseudostem

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Peduncle with several bracts at the base, and pedicellate flowers each subtended by a single floral bract; bracteoles absent Inflorescences racemose, 2-20-flowered, separate from the leafy shoot, often precocious, on a peduncle which is either elongated, or very short and concealed among the basal bracts and old leaf-sheaths

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tubular or turbinate, 3-lobed at the apex, each lobe often with a subterminal subulate projection

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla with a basal tube and 3 free subequal petals

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Androecium fused basally with the corolla-tube, composed of a 3-lobed labellum of which the central lobe is generally deeply divided, and a single stamen with basal anthers and a long terminal lobe

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary subspherical, sometimes trigonous; style filiform; stigma cup-shaped or 2-lipped, glabrous; epigynous glands very short

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit often ± subterranean except in those species with long-pedunculate inflorescences, generally poorly known

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Mature seeds unknown.