Achyrospermum scandens Polhill

Lamiaceae (Labiatae), A.J. Paton, G. Bramley, O. Ryding, R.M. Polhill, Y.B. Harvey, M. Iwarsson, F. Willis, P.B. Phillipson, K. Balkwill, C.W. Lukhoba, D.F. Otieno, & R.M. Harley. Achyrospermum, R.M. Polhill. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2009

Type

Typus: Tanzania, Lushoto District: SW Shagai Forest, 2 km SE of Sunga, Drummond & Hemsley 1409 (K!, holo. EA, iso.)

Morphology General Habit

Woody climber to several m, with twining stems

Morphology Branches

Branches bearing leaves at tip and inflorescences from nodes of fallen leaves below, pubescent to pilose with appressed or spreading hairs, gradually glabresent

Morphology Leaves

Leaf blades ovate-elliptic to elliptic, 5–13 × 1.5–5.5 cm, serrate, acuminate at apex, cuneate and slightly attenuate at base, thinly pubescent on both surfaces, most densely along the veins beneath, with 5–7 pairs of lateral veins; petiole 0.7–2.5 cm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences 3–7 cm long, subsessile or often with 1–few small leaves or spaced pairs of sterile bracts at the base, sublax, with ± 10–30 bracts each subtending 3–4 flowers; bracts mostly linear to oblanceolate, 5–9 mm long, but a few elliptic bracts sometimes also present, acuminate, ciliolate, ± pubescent on the surface outside; pedicels 2.5–4 mm long, pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 6–8 mm long, pubescent to pilose; lobes subequal, ovate-triangular, ± 1 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla dark pink to dull purplish red, pubescent and with small sessile glands, 8–20 mm long; posterior lip 1.5–2 mm long, emarginate; anterior lip 2.5–3 mm long, the middle lobe like a deep hanging jaw, the laterals bluntly ovate-triangular and a little shorter

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens with anterior filaments 4.5–7 mm long, posterior ones 5–8 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style ± 2.3 cm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets not seen

Figures

Fig 7, p36

Ecology

Upland rain forest, often on ridges or exposed slopes; 1400–2350 m

Conservation

Restricted in distribution, although several populations within National Parks; possibly threatened.

Note

The flowers are similar to those of A. carvalhi, but the inflorescences soon look much laxer, partly because the pedicels are longer and the bracts are mostly narrower. At the base of the inflorescence there are usually 1–few small leaves and/or small paired sterile bracts. The leaves are generally smaller as might be expected from plants growing in more exposed positions than A. carvalhi. Thulin & Mhoro 2786, cited above, is rather less distinct in its leaves and bracts compared to the other specimens seen.

Distribution

Range: Not known elsewhere Flora districts: Udzungwa Mts National Park, 27 May 2002, Luke, Butynski & Ehardt 8494! T3 6, 7