Ceropegia circinata (E.Mey.) Bruyns

Goyder, D. J., Gilbert, M. G. & Venter, H. J. T. (2020). Apocynaceae (part 2). In: M. A. García (ed.), Flora Zambesiaca, Vol. 7(3). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Type

South Africa, Cape, nr Aliwal North, at foot of Witteberg [“in collibusgraminosispropeRietvalei ad radices montiumWithebergen”], Drèges.n. (B† holotype, K000305820 in part lectotype, ?MEL2406192, ?S12-11943) lectotype designated by Dyer in Codd et al., Fl. S. Africa 27(4): 33 (1980), mounted with type of Brachystelmacommixtum N.E. Br.; probable isotypes (locality details missing): MEL2406192, S12-11943).

Vegetative Multiplication Tubers

Tuber 3–10 cm diam., upper surface sometimes depressed

Morphology Stem

Stems 1 to few, much branched, herbaceous, 7–30 cm high, densely puberulous with recurved hairs

Morphology Leaves

Leaves herbaceous, shortly petiolate; leaf blade oblong to ovate, 5–15(20) × 5–12 mm, margins sometimes undulate, abaxial surface puberulous, adaxially puberulous or sometimes glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence extra-axillary, sessile; cyme 1–8-flowered, flowers opening in succession or several together

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicel to 5 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals lanceolate, joined for ¼ of length, c.1.5 mm long, puberulous

Morphology General Buds

Bud with slender, cylindrical beak

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 5–25 mm long, divided nearly to base; tube flattish or saucer-shaped, rarely to 3 mm deep; lobes linear to filiform, 5–25 mm long, revolute, apices connate to form ellipsoidal cage, abaxially pale green, puberulous, adaxially white or pale yellow at base, dull purple to reddish brown towards tips, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corona

Corona subsessile, predominantly yellow; outer lobes erect, variably bifid, sometimes nearly to base, teeth linear to subulate, shorter than to distinctly longer than gynoecium, glabrous or with a few hairs, inner lobes incumbent on anthers, linear, sometimes meeting over centre, shorter than outer lobes, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Follicles and seeds not seen.

Distribution

Botswana, Mozambique. Also in Namibia, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini.

Ecology

In patches of shallow soil overlying granite, among trees and bushes in Kalahari sand; 550–1250(1800) m.

Conservation

LC, widely distributed and very frequently collected, especially in South Africa.