Crepidorhopalon bifolius (Skan) Eb.Fisch.

Scrophulariaceae, S.A. Ghazanfar, F.N. Hepper & D. Philcox. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 2008

Type

Type: Zambia, Kambole, SW of Lake Tanganyika, ± 1525 m [5000 ft], 1896, Nutt s.n. (K!, holo.)

Morphology General Habit

Erect, slender herb, (2.5–)6–12(–18) cm tall, branched from base or at times above.

Morphology Stem

Stems quadrangular, very sparsely short spreading hispid, frequently mixed with short stipitate glands

Morphology Leaves

Leaves sessile, basal in one or two pairs, broadly ovate to elliptic-ovate, 5–20 mm long, 3–9 mm wide, thin, base rounded, apex acute or obtuse, margins obscurely few toothed, short pubescent to subglabous; one or two pairs of cauline leaves occasionally present, similar to basal but smaller

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers few, mostly laxly alternate in terminal racemes

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts subulate or linear-lanceolate, 0.5–1(–2.5) mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels 1–2.5 mm long, slender

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 3–5(–6) mm long, shortly hispid to glandular or subglabrous; lobes narrowly lanceolate, 2–4(–5) mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla pale yellow to white, upper lip oblong-ovate, lateral lobes of lower lip elliptic, median lobe subcircular

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, all fertile; anterior filaments 4–5.5 mm long with clavate appendages 0.8–1 mm long produced at base; antero-lateral ridge not evident

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule broadly ellipsoid to ellipsoid globose, ± 3.5 mm long, 1.5–2.5 mm broad, apiculate.

Ecology

Wet areas;  ± 1550 m

Conservation

Data Deficient (DD); known only from a few collections in its range of distribution

Note

The collection included here from Kalambo Falls was made by Bullock but no further information on the locality is available from the label with the specimen. As the Falls are on the border between Zambia and Tanzania the actual locality must remain uncertain, but as the usual access is by road within Tanzania, the probability is that this collection was made within that country and as such has been included here. There is a strong possibility that, at a later date, it may be found occurring elsewhere within the Flora area.

Distribution

Range: Zambia Flora districts: T4