Cryptolepis africana (Bullock) Venter & R.L.Verh.

Apocynaceae (part 2), David Goyder, Timothy Harris, Siro Masinde, Ulrich Meve, Johan Venter. Flora of Tropical East Africa, 2012

Morphology General Habit

Climber 2–3 m high.

Morphology Roots

Roots unknown.

Morphology Stem

Stems slender, twining, brown, papillose to minutely scabridulous, nodes enlarged

Morphology Leaves

Leaves sub-coriaceous; petiole 0.5–1 cm long; blade elliptic to oblong-elliptic, 6–8 × 4–5 cm, retuse-mucronate, mucro reddish, base obtuse to sometimes cuneate, green above, beneath pale grey-green, violet spotted and blotched, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary, few-flowered, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Peduncles

Peduncles slender, primary 1.5–2.5 cm long, secondary 2–3.5 cm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels ± 5 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts acicular, ± 1 mm long

Morphology General Buds

Buds oblong-ovoid, longapiculate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals narrowly triangular to narrowly ovate-triangular, ± 2 × 0.7 mm, glabrous, acute

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla creamy-white; tube campanulate, 2–3 mm long, outside glabrous, inside villous below stamens; lobes linear to linear ovate, 7–8 × ± 1 mm, round to acute, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corona

Corona of lower whorl only, lobes clavate, ± 0.5 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens villous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments ± 0.5 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anthers creamy yellow, ovate-triangular, ± 1 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Styles free, terete, ± 1 mm long, glabrous; style-head broadly ovoid.

Figures

Fig 40, p 127

Ecology

Coastal lowland forest; 0–100 m

Distribution

Flora districts: K7 Range: Not known elsewhere