Craterosiphon quarrei Staner

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 9, Part 3. Polygonaceae-Myriaceae. Pope GV, Polhill RM, Martins ES. 2006.

Type

Type from Dem. Rep. Congo.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 10, practically in a single series, exserted; filaments of the stamens opposite the lobes, c. 3 mm long, the others c. 2 mm long; anthers 1–1.5 mm long Stamens 10, practically in a single series, exserted; filaments of the stamens opposite the lobes, c. 3 mm long, the others c. 2 mm long; anthers 1–1.5 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary sessile or subsessile, 2–3 mm long, ovoid, glabrous; disk 5-lobed 0.3–0.6 mm high, glabrous; style 13–16 mm long, exserted; stigma subcapitate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit brownish-orange or dark brown, c. 20 × 10–16 mm, ovoid to ellipsoid. Fruit brownish-orange or dark brown, c. 20 × 10–16 mm, ovoid to ellipsoid.

Ecology

In plateau woodland, riverine forests and hillsides, on sandy soil; 900–1800 m.

Note

Sometimes left as an ornamental tree in gardens cleared from bushland, see Richards 4894 cited above and Chilongowelo, fl. 20.i.1952, Richards s.n. (K).

Distribution

Also in Angola and Dem. Rep. Congo. ZAM N, ZAM W Zambia

Morphology General Habit

Much branched shrub or tree up to 12 m high, or rarely a climber. Much branched shrub or tree up to 12 m high, or rarely a climber

Morphology Branches

Branches slender, glabrous, often pendulous; bark grey or brown, reddish when young, often longitudinally fissured, sometimes with corky ridges. Branches slender, glabrous, often pendulous; bark grey or brown, reddish when young, often longitudinally fissured, sometimes with corky ridges

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite or subopposite; petiole c. 3 mm long, lamina 30–60 × 14–32 mm, ovate to narrowly ovate or elliptic, attenuate towards the base or rounded, acute to subacuminate at the apex, recurved at the margin, coriaceous, glossy above, yellowish-green or glaucous beneath, glabrous; midrib prominent beneath, lateral nerves hardly visible, almost at right angles to midrib. Leaves opposite or subopposite; petiole c. 3 mm long, lamina 30–60 × 14–32 mm, ovate to narrowly ovate or elliptic, attenuate towards the base or rounded, acute to subacuminate at the apex, recurved at the margin, coriaceous, glossy above, yellowish-green or glaucous beneath, glabrous; midrib prominent beneath, lateral nerves hardly visible, almost at right angles to midrib

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence an axillary fascicle, (2)3(4)-flowered, with an involucre of ciliate bracts; peduncle 2–7 mm long. Inflorescence an axillary fascicle, (2)3(4)-flowered, with an involucre of ciliate bracts; peduncle 2–7 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers yellowish-green, sometimes white, strongly sweet-scented; pedicels 1.5–4 mm long. Flowers yellowish-green, sometimes white, strongly sweet-scented; pedicels 1.5–4 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube 10–18 mm long, c. 3 mm wide at the top, glabrous; lobes 5–8 × 1.5–2.7 mm, ovate to oblong obtuse, glabrous; petaloid glands 10, in the throat of the tube, scarcely protruding. Calyx tube 10–18 mm long, c. 3 mm wide at the top, glabrous; lobes 5–8 × 1.5–2.7 mm, ovate to oblong obtuse, glabrous; petaloid glands 10, in the throat of the tube, scarcely protruding

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary sessile or subsessile, 2–3 mm long, ovoid, glabrous; disk 5-lobed 0.3–0.6 mm high, glabrous; style 13–16 mm long, exserted; stigma subcapitate.