Tapinanthus constrictiflorus (Engl.) Danser

Loranthaceae, Polhill & D. Wiens. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1999

Morphology General Habit

Plant glabrous; twigs slightly compressed at first.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves mostly opposite; petiole 5–15(–20) mm. long; lamina ± coriaceous, green to slightly glaucous, lanceolate to ovate, 4.5–15 cm. long, 1.2–8 cm. wide, acuminate at the apex, rounded to cordate, rarely broadly cuneate, at the base, with 8–12 pairs of lateral nerves, lower 2–3 strongly ascending.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Umbels (2–)4-flowered; peduncle 2–4 mm. long; pedicels 0.5–3 mm. long from well-developed sockets; bract saucer-shaped, with a small triangular limb, 1–2 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Receptacle

Receptacle obconic, 1–2 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx shortly cupular, 1–2 mm. long, ciliolate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla-tube 3.2–4 cm. long, pink to crimson, sometimes darker along filament-lines, head of buds green turning blue-grey to purple; bud-heads oblong-ellipsoid, obtuse to truncate, angled to ribbed or narrowly winged, sometimes with bosses or triangular points up to 1 mm. long overtopping the apex, 3.5–4 mm. long, 2–2.5 mm. in diameter; basal swelling 3.5–6 mm. long, 2.5–4 mm. in diameter, with the tube constricted for 3–8 mm. above; lobes reflexed, 6–7 mm. long, slightly corrugated on claw, expanded tip narrowly elliptic, 3.5–4 mm. long, 1–1.5 mm. wide (excluding margins).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens with tooth 0.5–0.7 mm. long; anthers 2–2.5 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Style with a neck 2–2.5 mm. long; stigma capitate, 0.7–0.8 mm. across.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Berry urceolate, 10 mm. long, 6 mm. in diameter.

Habitat

Evergreen forest, on various hosts including plantation crops; 1100–2300 m.

Distribution

K3 K5 T1 U2 U4