Streptocarpus euanthus Mansf.

Gesneriaceae, Ian Darbyshire. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2006

Type

Type: Tanzania, Morogoro District, Uluguru Mts, Mkambaku, Schlieben 3589 (B†, holo.; BM!, BR!, MU, iso.)

Morphology General Habit

Scrambling perennial caulescent herb to 2 m tall

Morphology Stem

Young stems shortly pubescent with mainly eglandular hairs, glabrescent

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, pairs somewhat unequal, falling from older stems leaving prominent scars; blade ovate, 2.5–4.8 cm long, 1.5–2.5 cm wide, base rounded to subcordate, slightly asymmetric, margin entire, apex subacuminate, densely pubescent above, principal nerves pubescent beneath; lateral nerves 9–11 pairs, conspicuous beneath; petiole 1–4 cm long, densely pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary to the upper leaves, solitary, 2–7-flowered; peduncles 5–11.5 cm long, sparsely eglandular- and glandular-pubescent, most dense at the base, old inflorescences sometimes persisting at lower nodes, then pedunclesglabrescent; pedicels 8–10 mm long, mainly eglandular-pubescent, with scattered glandular hairs; bracts not seen

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx lobes linear, 5–6(–10) mm long, sparsely eglandular-pubescent, with some glandular hairs and subsessile glands at the base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla blue-lilac, 35–40 mm long; tube narrowly cylindric, 20–24 mm long, ± 2.5 mm deep, sparsely glandular-pubescent outside, mouth open; limb oblique; upper lip of two ovate lobes, 4–5 mm long, ± 5 mm wide; lower lip 14–17 mm long, lateral lobes ± 6 mm long, 8–9 mm wide, median lobe ± 8 mm long, 9 mm wide, all rounded

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens arising from the upper third of the corolla tube.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments 2(–3) mm long, anther thecae rounded, ± 1 mm wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Staminodes

Staminodes not observed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary narrowly cylindric, 13–16 mm long, glabrous, narrowing into the style, ± 10 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma shallowly bilobed, ± 0.7 mm wide

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 75(–90) mm long, ± 2 mm diameter, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds not seen.

Ecology

Montane mist forest; ± 2280 m

Conservation

This species has not been recollected in its only known site of the Uluguru Mts since its first discovery, despite several collecting expeditions into this area in the intervening seventy years. It is therefore clearly either extremely rare or extinct here, and qualifies as Critically Endangered (CR B1ab(iv)+2ab(iv)). A thorough search in its type location and surrounding suitable habitat in the Uluguru Mts is highly advisable to try to rediscover this species and, if successful, to establish an action plan for its survival

Distribution

Flora districts: T6 Flora districts: Known only from the Uluguru Mts

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/158092/760559

Conservation

CR - critically endangered