Schwenckia L.

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 8, Part 4. Solanaceae. Gonçalves AE. 2005

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate, or in clusters, petiolate or sessile, entire Leaves alternate, or in clusters, petiolate or sessile, entire.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Cymes few–many-flowered, terminal, usually laxly paniculiform, occasionally reduced to one flower; pedicels slender Cymes few–many-flowered, terminal, usually laxly paniculiform, occasionally reduced to one flower; pedicels slender.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers somewhat zygomorphic Flowers somewhat zygomorphic.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx shorter than the corolla tube, tubular or campanulate, 4(5)-lobed, not or slightly enlarged in fruit; lobes subequal, short, claviform, with valvate aestivation Calyx shorter than the corolla tube, tubular or campanulate, 4(5)-lobed, not or slightly enlarged in fruit; lobes subequal, short, claviform, with valvate aestivation.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla tubular or elsewhere sometimes saccate, violet to reddish, yellowish or white; tube elongate, narrow but often slightly dilated at the anther-level, not expanded at the throat, sparingly pubescent on the lower third inside; limb small, plicate, oblique, 5-lobed or -dentate, occasionally 2-lipped; lobes claviform to setaceous, sometimes emarginate, overlapping in bud, with valvate or slightly contorted aestivation, sometimes with alternating appendages Corolla tubular or elsewhere sometimes saccate, violet to reddish, yellowish or white; tube elongate, narrow but often slightly dilated at the anther-level, not expanded at the throat, sparingly pubescent on the lower third inside; limb small, plicate, oblique, 5-lobed or -dentate, occasionally 2-lipped; lobes claviform to setaceous, sometimes emarginate, overlapping in bud, with valvate or slightly contorted aestivation, sometimes with alternating appendages.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4(5), didynamous, or 2, equal, inserted one-third to above the middle of the corolla tube, included or rarely exserted; filaments filiform, sometimes flattened, often tape-like below, pubescent to the base or glabrous, partially adnate to the inner surface of the corolla tube; anthers all or only 2 fertile, ovate to linear in outline, coherent or connate, ventrifixed, the 2 unequal, ± parallel thecae dehiscing by longitudinal slits, and separated from each other for their lower quarter; staminodes 0–3, equal, tapering

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Disc

Disk small, annular or cupular Disk small, annular or cupular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary subsessile, 2-locular; ovules several–many in each locule, on a fleshy axile placenta, anatropous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style filiform or compressed slightly dilated at the apex.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma

Stigma punctiform or slightly capitate, exserted or included

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit capsular, ± globose or ovoid, apiculate, dry, smooth or rugulose, 2-valved, septicidally dehiscent Fruit capsular, ± globose or ovoid, apiculate, dry, smooth or rugulose, 2-valved, septicidally dehiscent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds several to numerous, minute, ± prismatic, sometimes flattened on one side; testa somewhat leathery, minutely striate with tubercles in rows, or smooth, glabrous; embryo straight in the abundant endosperm, with the radicle often as wide as the cotyledons Seeds several to numerous, minute, ± prismatic, sometimes flattened on one side; testa somewhat leathery, minutely striate with tubercles in rows, or smooth, glabrous; embryo straight in the abundant endosperm, with the radicle often as wide as the cotyledons.

Morphology General Habit

Erect, ascending or sprawling usually herbaceous plants, glabrous or pubescent. Erect, ascending or sprawling usually herbaceous plants, glabrous or pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium

Stamens 4(5), didynamous, or 2, equal, inserted one-third to above the middle of the corolla tube, included or rarely exserted; filaments filiform, sometimes flattened, often tape-like below, pubescent to the base or glabrous, partially adnate to the inner surface of the corolla tube; anthers all or only 2 fertile, ovate to linear in outline, coherent or connate, ventrifixed, the 2 unequal, ± parallel thecae dehiscing by longitudinal slits, and separated from each other for their lower quarter; staminodes 0–3, equal, tapering.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary subsessile, 2-locular; ovules several–many in each locule, on a fleshy axile placenta, anatropous; style filiform or compressed slightly dilated at the apex; stigma punctiform or slightly capitate, exserted or included.

Distribution

A genus with 22 species from Central America and the Antilles southwards to NE Argentina, one species also widespread in Africa.