Tacazzea Decne.

M. Thulin. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1–4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit

Large lianas or erect shrubs; latex white

Morphology Leaves

Leaves mostly opposite, sometimes alternate, rarely whorled, petiolate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal and subterminal panicles with many-flowered, dichasial and monochasial branches

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals broadly ovate, ciliate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla rotate; tube saucer-shaped, with exserted gynostegium; lobes broadly ovate to oblong

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corona

Corona-lobes inserted at mouth of corolla, filiform or narrowly ovate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens inserted just below corona-lobes; filaments free, fused to inner base of corona-lobes; anthers glabrous; pollen in tetrads

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Nectaries

Interstaminal nectaries lobular, distinct

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigmatic head broadly ovoid; pollen carriers elliptic. Follicles paired, divergent, cylindrical-ovoid to ovoid

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds narrowly ovate with tuft of hairs at one end.

Distribution

4–5 species in tropical and southern Africa.

Goyder, D. J., Gilbert, M. G. & Venter, H. J. T. (2020). Apocynaceae (part 2). In: M. A. García (ed.), Flora Zambesiaca, Vol. 7(3). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Morphology General Habit

Large perennial lianas or erect shrubs with white latex

Morphology Stem

Stems perennial, woody, bark brown, often verrucose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves mostly opposite, sometimes alternate, rarely whorled, petiolate, interpetiolar ridges with reddish colleters; blade linear-ovate to broadly ovate or elliptic to broadly elliptic, puberulous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal and sub-terminal panicles with many- flowered, dichasial and monochasial branches, bracteate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals broadly ovate, margin ciliate, with pairs of colleters at inner bases

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla rotate, tube saucer-shaped, lobes broadly ovate, oblong-ovate or oblong

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corona

Corona arising from corolla mouth, coronal feet, staminal filaments and nectaries fused into a wavy annulus, lobes filiform or narrowly ovate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens from inner apex of coronal feet, glabrous; filaments free, anthers glabrous, pollen in tetrads

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Nectaries

Interstaminal nectaries lobular, cone-shaped around style

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style-head subsessile, broadly ovoid; translators rhomboid to broadly ovate, apex split

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynostegium

Gynostegium exposed above corolla

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Follicles paired, divergent, cylindrical-ovoid to ovoid.

Distribution

Tacazzea is widely spread throughout the tropics and sub-tropics of Africa, from South Africa in the south through the equatorial forests and highlands of eastern and central Africa to Ethiopia in the north-east and westwards to south-western and western Africa. Tacazzea has 5 species, three are lianas found in swamp or riverine forests, and two are shrub-like and associated with water courses in more arid regions.