Oxygonum salicifolium Dammer

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 9, Part 3. Polygonaceae-Myriaceae. Pope GV, Polhill RM, Martins ES. 2006.

Type

Type from Tanzania.

Morphology General Habit

A creeping perennial plant with ascending or prostrate branches A creeping perennial plant with ascending or prostrate branches.

Morphology Stem

Stems reddish-brown, woody, pubescent or subglabrous; shoots up to 35 cm long, pubescent Stems reddish-brown, woody, pubescent or subglabrous; shoots up to 35 cm long, pubescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves sessile, (30)50–60(70) × (2)3–8(10) mm, elliptic to linear-lanceolate, acute at the apex, often mucronate, narrowed and cuneate towards the base, the midrib prominent below, not or slightly sinuous on the margin, whitish and almost glabrous on both surfaces, or ± pubescent on the margins and midrib Leaves sessile, (30)50–60(70) × (2)3–8(10) mm, elliptic to linear-lanceolate, acute at the apex, often mucronate, narrowed and cuneate towards the base, the midrib prominent below, not or slightly sinuous on the margin, whitish and almost glabrous on both surfaces, or ± pubescent on the margins and midrib.

Morphology Leaves Ocrea

Ocrea 0.4–1 cm long, truncate and fringed with red setae 6–9 mm long at the apex, thinly or thickly covered with whitish hairs Ocrea 0.4–1 cm long, truncate and fringed with red setae 6–9 mm long at the apex, thinly or thickly covered with whitish hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Hermaphrodite flowers heterostylous; perianth tubular, 4–5-lobed, tube c. 2 mm long, lobes 2–2.5 mm long and oblong-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, pubescent outside, glabrous inside Flowers pedicellate, 1–3 in the axils of chartaceous bracts arranged in terminal slender spiciform racemes 12–20 cm long; bracts 3–4 mm long, ± pubescent, truncate but produced dorsally into an acute setose apex, with a terminal fringe of 3–5 setae which may exceed the bract in length; bracteoles 2, hyaline, c. 2 mm long with 1–2 short setae at the apex; pedicels up to 4 mm long. Male flowers not seen Flowers pedicellate, 1–3 in the axils of chartaceous bracts arranged in terminal slender spiciform racemes 12–20 cm long; bracts 3–4 mm long, ± pubescent, truncate but produced dorsally into an acute setose apex, with a terminal fringe of 3–5 setae which may exceed the bract in length; bracteoles 2, hyaline, c. 2 mm long with 1–2 short setae at the apex; pedicels up to 4 mm long Hermaphrodite flowers heterostylous; perianth tubular, 4–5-lobed, tube c. 2 mm long, lobes 2–2.5 mm long and oblong-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, pubescent outside, glabrous inside. Male flowers not seen.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments 2.5(4) mm long, filiform; anthers 0.5–0.55 × 0.35–0.4 mm, oblong

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 2–2.5 mm long, ellipsoid; styles of long-styled flowers c. 4 mm long; styles of short-styled flowers shorter than the stamens, c. 1.5 mm long

Ecology

Grasslands and disturbed ground; c. 950 m.

Distribution

ZAM S Zambia Also in Kenya, Tanzania and Angola.

sex Male

Male flowers not seen.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Filaments 2.5(4) mm long, filiform; anthers 0.5–0.55 × 0.35–0.4 mm, oblong.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary 2–2.5 mm long, ellipsoid; styles of long-styled flowers c. 4 mm long; styles of short-styled flowers shorter than the stamens, c. 1.5 mm long.

sex Hermaphrodite

Ovary 2–2.5 mm long, ellipsoid; styles of long-styled flowers c. 4 mm long; styles of short-styled flowers shorter than the stamens, c. 1.5 mm long. Filaments 2.5(4) mm long, filiform; anthers 0.5–0.55 × 0.35–0.4 mm, oblong. Hermaphrodite flowers heterostylous; perianth tubular, 4–5-lobed, tube c. 2 mm long, lobes 2–2.5 mm long and oblong-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, pubescent outside, glabrous inside.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nut c. 10 mm long, with 3 prickles 3–3.5 mm long, spreading horizontally or somewhat ascending from the middle, or from up to 1 mm above the middle. Nut c. 10 mm long, with 3 prickles 3–3.5 mm long, spreading horizontally or somewhat ascending from the middle, or from up to 1 mm above the middle.