Coleus schliebenii (Mildbr.) A.J.Paton

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. Pycnostachys, G Bramleyshaped. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2009

Type

Type: Tanzania, Njombe District: Lupembe, Schlieben 713 (B†, holo. BR!, Z!, iso., K!, fragment)

Morphology General Habit

Shrub 1–2 m tall, apex herbaceous

Morphology Stem

Stems erect, branching, quadrangular, or rounded-quadrangular where woodier, pubescent with short adpressed eglandular hairs and red sessile glands

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, petiolate; blades narrowly ovate 5.5–12 × 1.8–5 cm, serrate, apex acute to shortly acuminate, base cuneate and then shortly attenuate, the upper surface pubescent, the lower surface pubescent and with red sessile glands; petiole 10–35 mm long, pubescent and with red sessile glands

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence dense, when in flower forming a conical shape, in fruit 25–45 × 20 mm; bracts subtending entire inflorescence narrowly ovate, 10–35 mm long, acute, enclosing buds then becoming deflexed in flower, pubescent, persistent through flowering stage; bracts subtending single flowers linear, 4–5 mm long, pubescent and with red sessile glands

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx with tube ± 1 mm long at anthesis, outer surface densely clad with red sessile glands, inner surface with 0.5 mm long triangular scales present between calyx lobes, these with very short eglandular hairs above, the inner surface of the tube with eglandular hairs between the lobes and beneath the scales; lobes 5, subulate and ± equal, 2.5–3 mm long, with occasional very short glandular hairs, also with scattered red sessile glands; fruiting calyx with tube 3.5–4.5 mm long, ventrally gibbous, lobes patent and recurved, becoming thicker and more rigid, 5–6 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla blue to purple, 12–13 mm long; tube ± glabrous, with red sessile glands, very narrow and parallel-sided for 6 mm, then curving sharply downwards and broadening for 2 mm before opening out into two lips; posterior lip shorter than anterior, 1–1.5 mm long, sometimes with eglandular hair; anterior lip 5–6 mm long, 1.5–2 mm deep, sometimes with eglandular hair on the front of the lip

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens connate for ± 1.5 mm, exserted for 1–2 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets ± 2 mm long.

Ecology

Forest edges, upland grassland and swampy glades; 1500–2200 m

Conservation

Least concern; widely distributed

Note

Pycnostachys schliebenii is characterised by its calyx which is densely clad in red sessile glands; its largish corolla from which the stamens are exserted a little way; a bluntly tipped inflorescence, and narrowly ovate, serrate leaves with an attenuate base, all of which distinguish it from P. goetzenii. There is variation in the indumentum of the calyx lobes, as some specimens have short glandular hairs and others do not. This does not appear to correlate with geography or habitat so these specimens have been included here. In addition, the indumentum of the corolla can vary: the corolla can be almost glabrous or with hair on the posterior and anterior lips (e.g. Milne-Redhead & Taylor 10504, cited above).

Distribution

Range: Congo-Kinshasa, Burundi, Zambia and Malawi Flora districts: T6 T7 T8

J. R. Timberlake, E. S. Martins (2013). Flora Zambesiaca, Vol 8: part 8. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Type

Type: Tanzania, Njombe Dist., Lupembe, n.d., Schlieben 713 (B† holotype, BR, Z, K frag.).

Morphology General Habit

Shrub 1–2 m tall, apex herbaceous, becoming woody below

Morphology Stem

Stems erect, branching, quadrangular, or rounded-quadrangular where woodier, pubescent with short adpressed eglandular hairs and red sessile glands

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, petiolate; blade 55–120 × 18–50 mm, narrowly ovate, serrate, apex acute to shortly acuminate, base cuneate and shortly attenuate, upper surface pubescent with short adpressed eglandular hairs, lower surface with short eglandular hairs, more plentiful on margins and venation, with red sessile glands; petiole 10–35 mm long, with short eglandular hairs and red sessile glands

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence dense, forming a conical shape in flower, 25–45 × 20 mm in fruit; bract subtending entire inflorescence 10–35 mm long, narrowly ovate, acute, enclosing buds then deflexed in flower, with short eglandular hairs; bract subtending single flowers 4–5 mm long, linear, with short eglandular hairs and red sessile glands

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx with tube c.1 mm long at anthesis, outer surface densely clad with red sessile glands, inner surface with 0.5 mm triangular scales present between calyx lobes, very short eglandular hairs above, inner surface of tube with eglandular hairs between lobes and beneath scales; lobes 5, 2.5–3 mm long, subulate, ± equal, with occasional very short glandular hairs, and scattered red sessile glands; fruiting calyx with tube 3.5–4.5 mm long, ventrally gibbous, lobes spreading and recurved, becoming thicker and more rigid, 5–6 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla blue to purple, 12–13 mm long; tube ± glabrous, with red sessile glands, very narrow and parallel-sided for 6 mm, curved sharply down and broadening for 2 mm before opening out into two lips; posterior lip shorter than anterior, 1–1.5 mm long, sometimes with eglandular hairs; anterior lip 5–6 mm long, 1.5–2 mm deep, sometimes with eglandular hairs on front of lip

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens joined for c.1.5 mm, exserted for 1–2 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Nutlets c.2 mm long.

Distribution

Zambia, Malawi. Also in Tanzania.

Ecology

Forest edges and grassland, often in damp places, sometimes around rock outcrops; 2000–2350 m.

Conservation

Least Concern.

Recognition

The description is based on fragments of the type specimen at K and other conspecific specimens. It is characterised by the calyx which is densely clad in red sessile glands, the largish corolla from which the stamens are a little exserted, and the bluntly tipped inflorescence which distinguishes it from P. goetzenii Gürke, a species occuring further north along the Western Rift Valley. There is variation in the indumentum of the calyx lobes as some specimens have short glandular hairs, but this does not correlate with geography or habitat so these specimens are included here. In addition, the indumentum of the corolla can vary – the corolla can be almost glabrous or with hairs on the posterior and anterior lips (e.g. Milne-Redhead & Taylor 10504).