Discopodium penninervium Hochst.

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 8, Part 4. Solanaceae. Gonçalves AE. 2005

Type

Type from Ethiopia.

Morphology Branches

Branches subterete or angular, sulcate, often becoming hollow, often tomentose at first, soon becoming glabrous or ± pubescent mainly around the nodes with simple, short or long, eglandular or glandular hairs Branches subterete or angular, sulcate, often becoming hollow, often tomentose at first, soon becoming glabrous or ± pubescent mainly around the nodes with simple, short or long, eglandular or glandular hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels 6–13 mm long, thickened distally, pubescent to glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 2 mm long, conical.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 1–2 mm long, hairy

Ecology

Evergreen rainforest; 1646–2134 m.

Note

The specimen Müller 1674 (SRGH) from Malawi N: Misuku Hills, Wilindi Forest Reserve, c. 1800 m, has fruits up to 17 mm in diameter and larger than in other specimens of this species seen by me.

Distribution

Widespread throughout tropical Africa in highland areas, recorded from Cameroon, Bioko, Dem. Rep. Congo and southwards from Ethiopia to Malawi. Malawi MAL N

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or small tree, ± spreading, up to 4(6) m; bark yellowish or brownish-green. Shrub or small tree, ± spreading, up to 4(6) m; bark yellowish or brownish-green

Morphology Leaves

Leaves solitary or geminate, towards the ends of the branches; petiole 1–6.5 cm long, rather sheathing at the base; lamina membranous or rather thick, 5–23.5 × 2.5–11.5 cm, oblong- to ovate-elliptic or obovate-elliptic, base cuneate, and oblique to dimidiate, ± decurrent into the petiole, apex acute or acuminate, ± entire, soon ± glabrous above, at first densely appressed tomentose beneath, soon only slightly pubescent along the raised midrib and nerves, with 8–12 pairs of lateral nerves. Leaves solitary or geminate, towards the ends of the branches; petiole 1–6.5 cm long, rather sheathing at the base; lamina membranous or rather thick, 5–23.5 × 2.5–11. 5 cm, oblong- to ovate-elliptic or obovate-elliptic, base cuneate, and oblique to dimidiate, ± decurrent into the petiole, apex acute or acuminate, ± entire, soon ± glabrous above, at first densely appressed tomentose beneath, soon only slightly pubescent along the raised midrib and nerves, with 8–12 pairs of lateral nerves

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers few–numerous; pedicels 6–13 mm long, thickened distally, pubescent to glabrous. Flowers few–numerous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx membranous, 2–4 mm long, 3–5 mm wide, 5-angular; lobes 0.2–1.5(2) × 1.5–2.5 mm, broadly triangular or ovate-triangular, obtuse or sub-acute, spreading, with a few short hairs at the margins or only at the apex. Calyx membranous, 2–4 mm long, 3–5 mm wide, 5-angular; lobes 0.2–1. 5(2) × 1. 5–2.5 mm, broadly triangular or ovate-triangular, obtuse or sub-acute, spreading, with a few short hairs at the margins or only at the apex

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla green or greenish-yellow, 6–8 mm long, pubescent to tomentose above the calyx outside and more densely distally; limb 5–8 mm across; lobes 3–4 mm long, triangular or triangular-oblong, sub-obtuse to acuminate, ± reflexed or spreading. Corolla green or greenish-yellow, 6–8 mm long, pubescent to tomentose above the calyx outside and more densely distally; limb 5–8 mm across; lobes 3–4 mm long, triangular or triangular-oblong, sub-obtuse to acuminate, ± reflexed or spreading

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen filaments 1–2 mm long, glabrous; anthers 1.5–2 mm long. Stamen filaments 1–2 mm long, glabrous; anthers 1. 5–2 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Disc

Disk red. Disk red

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary 2 mm long, conical; style 1–2 mm long, hairy.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit orange-yellow to red, glossy, 6–8(9) mm in diameter or 7 × 9 mm, globose or depressed-globose, said to be edible when ripe. Fruit orange-yellow to red, glossy, 6–8(9) mm in diameter or 7 × 9 mm, globose or depressed-globose, said to be edible when ripe