Dicliptera betonicoides S.Moore

Flora Zambesiaca Acanthaceae (part 2) by Iain Darbyshire, Kaj Vollesen and Ensermu Kelbessa

Morphology General Habit

Erect or decumbent annual herb, 20–60 cm tall, few to many-branched; stems wiry, 6-angular, appressed pale-pubescent on ridges, rarely also spreading-pilose.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves sometimes absent at fruiting, blades lengthening up stem, upper stem leaves oblong-lanceolate to linear, 3–8.3 × 0.25–2.3 cm, base shallowly cordate or rounded, sometimes subauriculate, apex acute or obtuse, upper surface sparsely pilose, margin, veins beneath and midrib above with shorter antrorse hairs; lateral veins (3)4–6 pairs, prominent beneath; blade sessile or petiole to 2 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence of numerous umbellately arranged cymules aggregated into cylindrical or conical heads, (1.5)2.5–5.5 × 0.8–1.8 cm; umbels (sub)sessile; main axis bracts linear-lanceolate, 3.7–6(9.5) × 0.5–1.5 mm, acuminate, ciliate, hyaline except for green midrib; cymule bracts unequal, ratio 1.3–1.8 : 1, and ± dimorphic, larger bract green with a broad pale yellowish margin in lower half, sometimes faintly 'windowed', oblong-lanceolate, -oblanceolate or narrowly pandurate, 5.7–10 × 1.2–2.5 mm, apex acute or obtuse, often only midrib prominent, margin pale-pilose, midrib and sometimes upper portion antrorse-pubescent, smaller bract with veins and apex green, with conspicuous pale yellowish 'windows' and margin, usually obovate, 4–5.5(8) × 1.5–3.2 mm, apex obtuse to rounded, sometimes with a short attenuate tip, surface prominently 3-veined, veins sparsely to densely white-pubescent, with few short-stalked glands between veins, margin pale-pilose; bracteoles lanceolate, 4.5–6.5 × 1 mm, acuminate, hyaline except for prominent midrib.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx hyaline, lobes 3.5–4.5 mm long, ciliate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 11–13.5 mm long, white, pink or mauve, with purple guidelines on lip in lower position and sometimes with greenish guidelines on lip in upper position, eglandular-pubescent externally; tube 6–7.7 mm long; lip held in upper position ovate(-elliptic), 5–6 × 3.5–4.2 mm; lip held in lower position flabellate, 4–5 × 4.5–6 mm, margin irregular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Staminal filaments 2.7–4.5 mm long, shortly hairy mainly above; anther thecae 0.7–1 mm long, superposed but slightly overlapping.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style sparsely strigulose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 4.5–7.5 mm long, with short eglandular hairs towards apex or glabrous; placental base elastic.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds discoid with keeled membranous rim, 2.5–3 mm in diameter, smooth except for minute reticulation.

Distribution

Also in D.R. Congo (Katanga) and Angola.

Ecology

Brachystegia and Cryptosepalum woodland on sand and sandy roadsides; 900 m.

Conservation

Conservation notes: Known from few collections but fairly widespread; probably not threatened.