Passerina L.

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 9, Part 3. Polygonaceae-Myriaceae. Pope GV, Polhill RM, Martins ES. 2006.

Morphology Branches

Branches slender, erect or sometimes pendulous, pubescent to tomentose or woolly when young

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers 4-merous, bisexual, wind-pollinated, reddish, cream or yellowish, subtended by bracts similar to the leaves or with membranous wings Flowers 4-merous, bisexual, wind-pollinated, reddish, cream or yellowish, subtended by bracts similar to the leaves or with membranous wings.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube flask-shaped or subcylindric, inflated at the base, glabrous to pilose or woolly Calyx tube flask-shaped or subcylindric, inflated at the base, glabrous to pilose or woolly.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals absent Petals absent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary sessile or subsessile, ovoid, 1-locular; disk absent; style filiform, laterally inserted near the apex of the ovary; stigma globose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit dry or fleshy, enclosed by the persistent base of the calyx tube Fruit dry or fleshy, enclosed by the persistent base of the calyx tube.

Distribution

A genus of 15 species in southern Africa, one extending to Angola and Zimbabwe.

Morphology General Habit

Ericoid, much branched shrublets or shrubs, rarely small trees. Ericoid, much branched shrublets or shrubs, rarely small trees

Morphology Stem

Branches slender, erect or sometimes pendulous, pubescent to tomentose or woolly when young.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, decussate, concave or closely involute, lined within with woolly hairs. Leaves opposite, decussate, concave or closely involute, lined within with woolly hairs

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a spike or sometimes subcapitate, terminal or ultimately overtopped by further growth of the branch. Inflorescence a spike or sometimes subcapitate, terminal or ultimately overtopped by further growth of the branch

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 8, inserted in the throat of the calyx tube, exserted, those opposite the sepals longer; anthers ovate or oblong. Stamens 8, inserted in the throat of the calyx tube, exserted, those opposite the sepals longer; anthers ovate or oblong

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary sessile or subsessile, ovoid, 1-locular; disk absent; style filiform, laterally inserted near the apex of the ovary; stigma globose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed with a black crustaceous testa, and a fine curved beak. Seed with a black crustaceous testa, and a fine curved beak.