Cryptolepis cryptolepioides (Schltr.) Bullock

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, Botsabelo, 29.xii.1893, Schlechter 4082 (B† holotype, BM, BOL, BR, G, GRA, K, NBG, NH, PRE, Z).

Morphology General Habit

A climber or scrambler

Morphology Roots

Roots unknown, Stems slender, densely branched, twining, up to 2 m × 5 mm, slightly verrucose, glabrous, interpetiolar ridges villous

Morphology Leaves

Leaves decussate opposite, coriaceous, axils villous; petiole purplish-red, glabrous, 4–9(20) mm long; blade broadly obovate, broadly elliptic or orbiculate, apex rotund, rarely emarginate, apiculate, acuminate or cuspidate, recurved, base obtuse, 2–4(6) × 2–4(5) cm, coriaceous, rugose, glabrous, dark green above, pale green beneath, bright purple spots occasionaly present along abaxial side of main vein, main -, secondary - and tertiary veins visible, secondary veins divaricate and looped, 12−20 per side

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary, compact, many-flowered; peduncles semi-frail, primary 4–10(25) mm long, secondaries 2–6(11) mm long; pedicels 2–3(12) mm long; bracts densely packed, acicular, 1.5 mm long, margin fimbriate

Morphology General Buds

Buds ovoid, acute to rotund, half-turned helically twisted

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals broadly ovate, ± 1.5 × 1 mm, margin fimbriate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla greenish, deep cream or pale yellow, glabrous; tube campanulate, 1.5–2.0 mm long; lobes spreading, oblong, rotund to obtuse, 2–3 × 1 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corona

Corona double; lower lobes clavate with conical apices, 0.8–1.0 mm long, glabrous, greenish to yellowish; upper lobes pocket-like, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens subsessile; anthers hastate, attenuate, ± 0.5 mm long, outside villous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style ± 0.3 mm long, style-head angular deltoid, ± 0.5 mm long, acutely bifid, translator narrowly elliptic. Follicles erect, widely divaricate, ovoid to narrowly ovoid and apiculate, base obtuse, finely ribbed, 3–6 × 0.6–1.5 cm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds obliquely obovate to obovate, 4–9 × 2–4 mm, warty; coma white to yellowish-white, 2–3 cm long.

Distribution

Zimbabwe, Mozambique

Ecology

Common in bushveld, scrub and ravine forest, on mountain slopes, cliffs and plateaus. This species is associated with sandy soil on granite or sandstone outcrops in moist areas along river beds and around dams; 750–1500 m.