Acridocarpus pauciglandulosus Launert

Malpighiaceae, E. Launert (British Museum (Natural History)). Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968

Morphology General Habit

A straggling shrub (or ? woody climber) with branches up to 3 m. in length.

Morphology Branches

Younger branches ± densely ferrugineous-pubescent, older ones glabrous, lenticellate.

Morphology Leaves

Leaf-lamina oblanceolate to (rarely) obovate, 4–7 x 1.5– 2.5(–3) cm., obtuse or shortly acuminate, cuneate, coriaceous, with margins slightly involute, finely ferrugineous-pubescent when young, soon glabrescent or sometimes upper surface and midrib beneath remaining finely pubescent, with 9–13 pairs of lateral nerves, eglandular or with a pair of very small glands at the very base beneath; petiole 1–2 mm. long, ± robust, subcanaliculate, pubescent or glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences mostly axillary, 3–5 cm. long, many-flowered, with a fairly stout rhachis, ± densely ferrugineous-sericeous, forming pyramidal or corymbiform racemes; bracts triangular-subulate, 1.5–2.5 mm. long, persistent; bracteoles subulate, 1–1.5 mm. long, eglandular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers ± 2.25 cm. in diameter.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx eglandular or with 1–2(–3) small circular glands, ± densely sericeous outside; lobes 2–2.5 (–3) mm. long, ovate to ovate-oblong, usually glabrous but shortly ciliate at margins.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals yellow, obovate, ± 12 mm. long, entire or shortly lacerate, clawed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens with oblong-ovate anthers 3–4mm. long; filaments cylindric to ligulate, 1–1.5 mm. long, carnose, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary densely sericeous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Styles 2, 7–10 mm. long, usually glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Wing of samara obliquely obovate, 4–5 × 1.75–2.25 cm., narrowed in lower half, broadest across the middle, distally oblique-truncate and obtuse (see fig. 1/1), clasping the nut only by a very small ridge, usually glabrous, sometimes finely pubescent.

Figures

Fig. 1/1, p. 4.

Habitat

Little known, but recorded from thickets; ± 200–600 m.

Distribution

T6 T8 not known elsewhere