Thunbergia dregeana C.Presl

J. R. Timberlake, E. S. Martins (2013). Flora Zambesiaca, Vol 8 (5) Acanthaceae Part 1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Morphology General Habit

Erect, trailing or twining perennial herb with several stems from a woody rootstock; stems to 1 m long, pubescent to pilose or sparsely so

Morphology Leaves

Leaves sparsely puberulous to pubescent below, densest along veins, uniformly sericeous-pubescent or sparsely so above, often with pilose hairs on both sides; petiole 0.5–3(5.5) cm long, not winged; lamina broadly triangular-ovate or reniform, largest 2–5 × 2.2–5 cm, often wider than long; apex acute to broadly rounded, base subcordate to cordate; margin entire to coarsely and irregularly dentate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers axillary, solitary (rarely paired); pedicels 2.5–6(8.5 in fruit) cm long, pubescent to pilose, rarely subglabrous; bracteoles green, with conspicuous often rib-like veins, 1–1.9 × 0.4–0.9 cm, ovate-oblong or narrowly so, acute or subacute, rounded to subcordate, not or indistinctly 4-angled at base, pubescent or sparsely so, often pilose on veins and margins

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx sparsely glandular puberulous with subsessile capitate glands, no eglandular hairs, rim 1–2 mm high, segments linear to narrowly triangular (rarely bifurcate), 2–6 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla white, sometimes with pale yellow centre, rarely pale yellow with yellow centre, without purple throat; cylindric tube 4–6 mm long, throat straight or slightly curved, narrowly campanulate, 1.3–2 cm long, 0.5–0.8 cm wide at apex; lobes 0.7–1.2 × 0.9–1.4 cm, broadly emarginate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments c.4 and 5 mm long; anthers 2.5–3.5 mm long, apiculate, bearded at base and along one side of upper anthers, spurs c.1 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule glabrous, depressed globose, 6–9 × 8–12 mm, beak 8–15 mm long, narrowly triangular, not constricted at base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 4–5 mm in diameter, brown, reticulate.

Distribution

Botswana, Zimbabwe. Also in South Africa.

Ecology

Woodland, riverine thicket, roadsides, persisting in cultivated areas; 25–1500 m.

Conservation

Widespread; not threatened.