Maerua Forssk.

Capparidaceae, J. Elffers, R. A. Graham And G. P. Dewolf. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1964

Morphology General Habit

Shrubs, sometimes dwarf, scramblers or more rarely small trees

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate or clustered on abbreviated lateral shoots, sessile or petiolate, simple or 1–3-foliolate; petiolules if present very short

Morphology Leaves Stipules

Stipules subulate, woody or herbaceous, persistent or evanescent, not spiny

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a terminal or lateral often corymbose raceme, a short terminal panicle or the flowers 1–4 in the axils of the upper leaves

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 3 or 4; receptacle narrowly cylindrical to shortly campanulate, the inner margin often produced into a disk with a free apical rim, sometimes very short and entire, sometimes as much as 2 mm. long and laciniate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals (3–)4 or 0, subequal

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Androphore subequal to or exceeding the receptacle, without an appendage; stamens free, few to very many

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Gynophore present, long; ovary spheroid to narrowly cylindrical, 1–2- locular; ovules 4 to many; stigma capitate, but of very variable shape and often rather flattened

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruits spheroid, ovoid, ellipsoid or cylindrical, sometimes up to about 20 cm. long, torulose or not, glabrous to densely pubescent.

Capparidaceae, H. Wild. Flora Zambesiaca 1:1. 1960

Morphology General Habit

Shrublets, shrubs, small trees or climbers without spines.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate or crowded on abbreviated side shoots, simple or 3 (5)-foliolate, sessile or petiolate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers solitary or fasciculate in the leaf axils or in terminal or axillary racemes or panicles. Flowers bisexual.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals (3) 4; receptacle cylindric or funnel-shaped, its inner margin often produced into a disc with an entire, undulate, dentate or fimbriate margin.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 0 or (3) 4 (8), inserted at the mouth of the receptacle.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androgynophore

Androgynophore equalling or exceeding the receptacle.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens usually indefinite and exserted; anthers basifixed and with longitudinal dehiscence.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary borne on an elongated gynophore; ovary globose, ovoid, ellipsoid or cylindric with 1–2 loculi, ovules 4 — ?; stigma sessile or nearly so.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit globose, ovoid, ellipsoid, oblong-ellipsoid or cylindric, sometimes torulose, smooth or verrucose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds subglobose or oblong-ellipsoid, smooth or rugose.

Capparidaceae, H. Wild. Flora Zambesiaca 1:1. 1960

Morphology General Habit

Small shrubs or occasionally perennial herbs.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple, entire, glaucous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers borne singly in the leaf axils.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 3, rarely 2 or 4, valvate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 0.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Disc

Disk with a short, toothed, free margin, adnate to the mouth of the receptacle.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens numerous, borne on a columnar androgynophore equalling or exceeding the receptacle; filaments free; anthers ovoid or oblong, apiculate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary fusiform, on a long gynophore, 2-locular (or rarely 3-locular) by fusion of the placentas; ovules 2 on each placenta, parietal or inserted on the spurious dissepiment.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit globose, coriaceous, indehiscent, slightly fleshy inside, 1–4-seeded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds large, without endosperm, cotyledons very thick; radicle deeply included.