Achyrospermum schimperi (Hochst. ex Briq.) Perkins

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

Type

Type: Ethiopia, without locality, Schimper 1411 (G, holo. BM, K!, iso.)

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb, usually erect, often single-stemmed and little branched, but sometimes straggling and sometimes prostrate at base and rooting at nodes, aromatic when crushed

Morphology Stem

Stem rounded to subquadrangular, variously hairy from densely spreading pilose to appressed-pubescent with retrorse hairs to rarely nearly glabrous

Morphology Leaves

Leaves rather shortly petiolate; blade ovate-elliptic to broadly elliptic, 5–14 × 3–8 cm, serrate with generally 20–30 teeth on each side, acuminate, basally cuneate and attenuate, thinly to usually conspicuously pilose on both surfaces, with 6–8 pairs of lateral veins; petiole 5–20(–30) mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal on stem and progressively produced on short flowering branches, also in the upper axils, usually shortly pedunculate, strobiliform, 2–10 cm long, with generally 30–60 bracts each subtending 4–8 flowers; bracts subcircular to oblate, 5–12 mm long, apiculate to long-caudate, conspicuously ciliate, but subglabrous to sparingly pubescent medially and apically on surface; bracteoles linear to oblanceolate, 2–4 mm long; pedicels 0.5–1 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx sometimes flushed brownish purple, 7–8 mm long, conspicuously pubescent, the hairs longer distally; lobes ovate-triangular, slightly acuminate, 1.5–2 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla mauvish pink to purplish with a white centre, 8–10(–12) mm long, exserted part pubescent; posterior lip 1–1.2 mm long, emarginate; anterior lip 2.5–3 mm long, the middle lobe rounded with ± broadly incurved margin, the lateral lobes notably large, at least 2/3 × as long as the middle lobe and sometimes nearly as large

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens with posterior filaments ± 2 mm long, the anterior ones ± 3 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 7–12 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets dull brown, ovoidellipsoid, including appendages 2–2.2 × 0.9–1 mm

Figures

Fig 8, p 38

Ecology

Montane forest undergrowth, usually in open or disturbed places, forest edges and associated bushland, commonly along streams; 1200–3000 m

Conservation

Least concern; widely distributed

Note

The species is well known, but quite variable in the hairiness and in the size of its flowers, which makes the technical distinction from the forest undergrowth species of the region a little difficult. Generally the long hairs on the stem and the notably hairy leaves suffice, but for the relatively uncommon less hairy forms a little more attention to the shape of the corolla and the details of the bracts and calyx is needed.

Distribution

Range: Eastern Congo-Kinshasa, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia Flora districts: U2 U3 K3 K4 K5 K6 T2