Acanthaceae

Lankesteria Lindl.

First published in Edwards's Bot. Reg. 31(Misc.): 86 (1845)
This genus is accepted
The native range of this genus is Tropical Africa.

Descriptions

Acanthaceae (part 2), Kaj Vollesen. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2008

Morphology General Habit
Perennial or shrubby herbs or shrubs; cystoliths conspicuous; stems subquadrangular
Morphology Leaves
Leaves opposite, entire to crenate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers single, aggregated into strobilate spiciform cymes; bracts conspicuous; bracteoles linear
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Calyx deeply divided into 5 subequal linear sepals
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Corolla contorted in bud, finely puberulous and/or glandular on the outside, with a long linear cylindric tube which is only slightly expanded into a short indistinct throat; limb spreading, subequally 5-lobed
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 2, sometimes with 2 minute staminodes, inserted dorsally at base of throat, exserted, filaments much flattened basally, narrowly so or terete towards apex; anthers 2-thecous, narrowly oblong, thecae equal or subequal, rounded at both ends
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary 2-locular, 2–4-ovulate.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style
Style finely hairy.
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stigma
Stigma of 2 capitate lobes
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Capsule 2seeded, clavate, with solid contracted basal part, laterally flattened, glabrous; retinaculae strong, hook-like
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seed discoid, covered with long hygroscopic hairs
Note
7 species in Tropical Africa and Madagascar.
[FTEA]

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

Morphology General Habit
Perennial or shrubby herbs or shrubs; cystoliths conspicuous; stems subquadrangular
Morphology Leaves
Leaves opposite, entire to slightly crenate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers single, aggregated into strobilate spiciform cymes; bracts conspicuous; bracteoles linear
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Calyx deeply divided into 5 subequal linear sepals
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Corolla contorted in bud, finely puberulous and/or glandular on the outside, with a long linear cylindric tube, only slightly expanded into a short indistinct throat; limb spreading, subequally 5-lobed
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens
Stamens 2, sometimes with 2 minute staminodes, inserted dorsally at base of throat, exserted; anthers 2-thecous, narrowly oblong, thecae equal or subequal, rounded at both ends
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary
Ovary 2-locular, 2–4-ovulate; style finely hairy; stigma of 2 capitate lobes
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Capsule 2-seeded, clavate, with a solid contracted basal part, laterally flattened, retinaculae strong, hook-like
Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds
Seeds discoid, covered with long hygroscopic hairs.
Distribution
A genus of 7 species in Tropical Africa and Madagascar.
[FZ]

Sources

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Flora of Tropical East Africa

    • Flora of Tropical East Africa
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2026. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2026. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0