Achyrospermum cryptanthum Baker

Lamiaceae (Labiatae), A.J. Paton, G. Bramley, O. Ryding, R.M. Polhill, Y.B. Harvey, M. Iwarsson, F. Willis, P.B. Phillipson, K. Balkwill, C.W. Lukhoba, D.F. Otieno, & R.M. Harley. Achyrospermum, R.M. Polhill. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2009

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 10–11 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets dull brown, ovoid-ellipsoid, including appendages 2.5 × 1 mm.

Ecology

Montane forest and associated bushland; 1800–2400 m

Conservation

Least concern; widely distributed

Type

Type: Malawi, Misuku Hills [Masuku Plateau], July 1896, Whyte s.n. (K!, holo.)

Morphology General Habit

Woody perennial herb or shrub, 0.5–3 m tall, sometimes scrambling in other vegetation, peppermint-scented when crushed

Morphology Stem

Stems sparingly to moderately branched, subquadrangular to rounded, pubescent to pilose with mostly appressed antrorse hairs, but sometimes of different length and the longer ones more spreading

Morphology Leaves

Leaves petiolate; blade ovate-elliptic to elliptic or broadly elliptic, 3–13 × 2.5–10 cm, serrate with ± 20–30 teeth on each side, acuminate, basally cuneate, not or shortly attenuate, pubescent on both surfaces, mostly on veins beneath, with 6–8 pairs of ascending lateral veins; petiole 5–40 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal, occasionally a few flowers in the axils immediately below, shortly pedunculate, dense, but rhachis usually evident between the partially fallen bracts, 3–14 cm long, with ± 30–50 bracts each subtending 3–5 flowers; bracts sometimes flushed pink, ovate to broadly elliptic or oblate, 6–12 mm long, acuminate to long-caudate, sometimes gland-tipped, ciliate, puberulous to pubescent on the surface, often with scattered sessile glands, some persisting, some falling; bracteoles linear or elliptic, ± 1 mm long; pedicels 1–4 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx sometimes pinkish, 7–8(–10 in fruit) mm long, puberulous to pubescent on the tube, the hairs becoming longer upwards and especially near margins of lobes, sometimes with sessile glands; lobes ovatetriangular, slightly acuminate, 2–2.5 mm long, the tips sometimes gland-tipped

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla white to generally flushed pink to lilac with a white centre, 9–10 mm long, pubescent on exserted part; posterior lip 2–2.5 mm long, deeply emarginate; anterior lip 4.5–6 mm long, lateral lobes 1.5–2 mm long, puberulent along filament lines in the throat

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens with posterior filaments 1.5–2.5 mm long, the anterior ones 2.5–4 mm long

Distribution

Flora districts: T4 T5 T7 Range: Highland areas around the north end of Lake Malawi in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique