Cryptolepis hypoglauca K.Schum.

Apocynaceae (part 2), David Goyder, Timothy Harris, Siro Masinde, Ulrich Meve, Johan Venter. Flora of Tropical East Africa, 2012

Morphology General Habit

Many-stemmed climber with white latex.

Morphology Roots

Roots unknown.

Morphology Stem

Stems twining, pale brown to reddish brown, up to 6 m long, 2–5 mm diameter, glabrous, lenticellate

Morphology Leaves

Leaves sessile or sub-sessile, leathery; blade elliptic, broadly elliptic, broadly obovate or sub-orbicular, (6–)8–10(–16) × (4–)5–8(–10) cm, retuse or obtuse, mucronate or apiculate, base cordate to obtuse, green above, glaucous beneath, violet spotted or blotched, glabrous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary, rarely terminal, open, monochasial branches 3–6-flowered, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Peduncles

Peduncles sturdy, reddish brown, primary 2–3(–10) cm long, secondaries 1–3 cm long, densely packed with floral bracts and scars.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts broadly ovate to triangular, clasping, ± 1 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels sturdy, reddish brown, 1–5 mm long

Morphology General Buds

Buds sub-globose, short-apiculate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals green, reddish blotched, narrowly ovate to narrowly triangular, ± 2 × 0.5 mm, glabrous, margins fimbriate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla dull purple, brownish-red, pinkish-purple or pink, glabrous; tube broadly campanulate, 2.5–3 mm long, with papillose spots; lobes ovate to broadly ovate, 3–4 × 1–2.5 mm, acute to obtuse

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corona

Corona: lower whorl of pale green to yellow ovoid lobes with curved apex, ± 1 mm long; upper whorl of sinus pockets

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens glabrous, filaments ± 0.5 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anthers whitish, triangular, ± 1mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style ± 0.5 mm long; style-head conical, long-attenuate, ± 1.5 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Follicles paired, horizontally opposite, dark reddish-brown, angular cylindrical-ovoid, 25–30 cm long, 5–8 mm diameter

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds brown, very narrowly sub-elliptic to very narrowly sub-ovate, 10 × 2 mm; coma white, 3–5 cm long

Ecology

Moist evergreen lowland and coastal forest on deep humic soil over coral, or submontane forest; 0–1100 m

Distribution

Range: Cameroon, Central African Republic and N Mozambique Flora districts: K4 K7 T3 T6 T7 T8 Z