Oncocalyx bolusii (Sprague) Wiens & Polhill

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

Type

Type:Mozambique, Delagoa Bay, Bolus 9764 (K, holotype; PRE).

Morphology General Habit

Plants glabrous, often from a massive haustorial connection; twigs compressed to angular Plants glabrous, often from a massive haustorial connection; twigs compressed to angular.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves alternate; petiole 1–8 mm long; lamina leathery, 1.5–8 × 1–3 cm, elliptic.lanceolate to elliptic or elliptic.oblong, bluntly pointed, basally attenuate or rounded, with 1(2) pairs of steeply ascending lateral nerves from near base or venation obscure Leaves alternate; petiole 1–8 mm long; lamina leathery, 1.5–8 × 1–3 cm, elliptic-lanceolate to elliptic or elliptic-oblong, bluntly pointed, basally attenuate or rounded, with 1(2) pairs of steeply ascending lateral nerves from near base or venation obscure.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers 2–4(6) in 1–several umbels on a 0–1.5 mm long peduncle in axils or at older swollen nodes; pedicels 1–1.5 mm long; bract 1–2.5 mm long, cupular Flowers 2–4(6) in 1–several umbels on a 0–1.5 mm long peduncle in axils or at older swollen nodes; pedicels 1–1.5 mm long; bract 1–2.5 mm long, cupular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla 2.2–3 cm long, banded red and generally greenish-white, the red flush extending from the constriction to a little beyond the ‘V’ and then on the upper half of the lobes, with a further narrow band at the filament insertions; tube joined to c. two-thirds to the point of the filament insertions, splitting halfway down in a ‘V’ on one side (when dried the other lobes often splitting down as well); basal swelling marked, followed by a narrow constriction, then funnel shaped to base of ‘V’, altogether 7–11 mm Corolla 2.2–3 cm long, banded red and generally greenish-white, the red flush extending from the constriction to a little beyond the ‘V’ and then on the upper half of the lobes, with a further narrow band at the filament insertions; tube joined to c. two-thirds to the point of the filament insertions, splitting halfway down in a ‘V’ on one side (when dried the other lobes often splitting down as well); basal swelling marked, followed by a narrow constriction, then funnel shaped to base of ‘V’, altogether 7–11 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen filaments attached at base of corolla lobes Stamen filaments attached at base of corolla lobes.

Ecology

Coastal bushland, mangrove swamps and open woodland on a variety of hosts; flowering mainly April–November.

Note

Inland populations from Zimbabwe (cited above) and around the Soutpansberg in the Northern Province of South Africa, described as Loranthus or Tieghemia rogersii, differ from the typical coastal material by thicker greyer-green leaves without obvious venation, not unlike some material from southern Mozambique and Ilha da Inhaca. The haustorial connection of the inland plants is also markedly massive. Further study of these populations is needed to ascertain their status. There is some variation between a white or green flower coloration, with the red flush on the tube developed to varying degrees.

Distribution

Also in coastal KwaZulu-Natal and extending inland to the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Mozambique ZIM S, MOZ GI, MOZ M Zimbabwe

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Receptacle

Receptacle 1–1.2 mm long. Receptacle 1–1.2 mm long; calyx 0.5–1 mm long, cupular

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 0.5–1 mm long, cupular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Berry red, c. 10 × 7 mm, obovoid, slightly warted. Berry red, c. 10 × 7 mm, obovoid, slightly warted.