Synaptolepis alternifolia Oliv.

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

Type

Type from Tanzania.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary with a few hairs at the apex or glabrous, surrounded by a whorl of hairs at the base; disk c. 0.5 mm long; style 8–14 mm long

Ecology

Coastal dune forest, grassy hillsides, miombo woodland, riverine forest; 0–1524 m.

Note

In Mozambique powdered root tubers of Synaptolepis alternifolia are used as a purgative and for abdominal pains and diarrhoea. In southern Zimbabwe and in Mozambique this species is also used to stupefy fish. Material from the Flora Zambesiaca area is almost invariably climbing, but in Tanzania the plant described as S. longifolia is a small shrub. Vollesen in Opera Bot. 59: 40 (1980) considers that some form of recognition is desirable. The only truly subshrubby specimen seen from the Flora Zambesiaca area is Hepper 7369 (Malawi S: above Likhubula, fl. 18.ii.1982).

Distribution

Mozambique Malawi Also known from Tanzania. ZIM E, ZIM S, MAL N, MAL S, MOZ N, MOZ MS Zimbabwe

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or woody climber 0.5–6(10) m high, rarely a small subshrub c. 25 cm tall. Shrub or woody climber 0.5–6(10) m high, rarely a small subshrub c. 25 cm tall

Morphology Branches

Branches slender, glabrous; bark dark brown, reddish-brown or black, with horizontal whitish lenticels; sometimes with woody tendrils. Branches slender, glabrous; bark dark brown, reddish-brown or black, with horizontal whitish lenticels; sometimes with woody tendrils

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate or opposite; petiole 1.5–3 mm long; lamina deep green on the upper surface, light green or greyish-green beneath, (10)15–45(63) × (6)10–25(33) mm, narrowly to broadly elliptic or ovate, acuminate to obtuse or truncate at the apex, narrowly to broadly cuneate at the base, sometimes slightly undulate, glabrous, membranous to subcoriaceous. Leaves alternate or opposite; petiole 1.5–3 mm long; lamina deep green on the upper surface, light green or greyish-green beneath, (10)15–45(63) × (6)10–25(33) mm, narrowly to broadly elliptic or ovate, acuminate to obtuse or truncate at the apex, narrowly to broadly cuneate at the base, sometimes slightly undulate, glabrous, membranous to subcoriaceous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers white, pale yellow, cream or yellowish-cream, in terminal or axillary few- to 10-flowered pedunculate cymes; pedicels 2–12 mm long; bracts 1–2 mm long, ciliate, falling early. Flowers white, pale yellow, cream or yellowish-cream, in terminal or axillary few- to 10-flowered pedunculate cymes; pedicels 2–12 mm long; bracts 1–2 mm long, ciliate, falling early

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube 12–18 mm long, glabrous; lobes 2–3.5 × 1–2 mm, ovate, glabrous. Calyx tube 12–18 mm long, glabrous; lobes 2–3.5 × 1–2 mm, ovate, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals forming an entire or lobed ring with stiff hairs, c. 0.5 mm long, membranous. Petals forming an entire or lobed ring with stiff hairs, c. 0.5 mm long, membranous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens of the upper whorl slightly exceeding the petals; anthers 1 mm long, subsessile. Stamens of the upper whorl slightly exceeding the petals; anthers 1 mm long, subsessile

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary with a few hairs at the apex or glabrous, surrounded by a whorl of hairs at the base; disk c. 0.5 mm long; style 8–14 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit yellow to reddish-orange, 12–23 × 8–12 mm, glabrous. Fruit yellow to reddish-orange, 12–23 × 8–12 mm, glabrous.

Thymelaeaceae, B. Peterson (University of Göteborg). Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1978

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or woody climber up to 10 m. high.

Morphology Branches

Branches slender, glabrous; bark reddish brown or black, lenticellate.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate or opposite; petiole 1.5–3 mm. long; leaf-blade elliptic or ovate, (12–)15–45(–63) mm. long, (6–)10–25(–32) mm. wide, acuminate to truncate at the apex, cuneate or shortly narrowed at the base, sometimes slightly undulate, membranous to subcoriaceous, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers white, pale yellow or cream, in terminal pedunculate cymes; bracts 1–2 mm. long, ciliate, falling off rather early.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx-tube 12–18 mm. long, glabrous; lobes ovate, 2–3.5 mm. long, 1–2 mm. wide, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals with stiff hairs, ± 0.5 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens of the upper whorl slightly longer than the petals; anthers 1 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary with a few hairs at the top or glabrous, surrounded by a whorl of hairs at the base; style 8–14 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit glabrous, yellow to reddish orange, 12–23 mm. long, 8–12 mm. wide.

Figures

Fig. 2/1–6.

Habitat

Riverine forest and thicket, Brachystegia woodland, secondary bushland and wooded grassland; 50–1100 m.

Distribution

T3 T6 T7 T8