Apocynaceae
Huernia

Huernia kirkii N.E.Br.

First published in W.H.Harvey & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Cap. 4(1): 920 (1909)
This species is accepted
The native range of this species is SE. Zimbabwe to E. KwaZulu-Natal. It is a succulent subshrub and grows primarily in the subtropical biome.

Descriptions

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation
Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident
[AERP]

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, Mpumalanga, Komatipoort, 28.vii.1902, Kirk 76 (K holotype).
Morphology General Habit
Clump-forming stem succulent
Morphology Stem
Stems decumbent to prostrate, 3–15 cm long, 0.8–1.2 cm thick, 5-angled
Vegetative Multiplication Tubers
Tubercles laterally flattened, deltoid, tapering abruptly into a small acute tooth
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescence of 1–5 flowers developing successively; peduncle to 5 mm long; pedicels 6–15 mm long, spreading, holding the flower facing upwards
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 6–16 mm long, narrowly ovate- acuminate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Corolla 3–5 cm diam., bicampanulate with a subglobose-campanulate tube opening abruptly into a saucer-shaped limb, papillate except in tube; corolla tube dark maroon, to 20 mm deep; limb and lobes cream spotted with maroon; lobes 8–10 mm long and 11–15 mm wide at base, erect or spreading slightly, broadly triangular, acuminate
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corona
Outer corona lobes dark maroon, truncate-emarginate and spreading onto the base of the corolla; inner corona lobes cream spotted with maroon, adpressed to back of anthers below then connivent-divergent above, the apex distinctly swollen, bristly.
Distribution
Zimbabwe, Mozambique. Also recorded from South Africa (Limpopo, Mpumalanga & KwaZulu-Natal).
Ecology
In sandy or stony soil under trees or bushes; 50–500 m.
[FZ]

Sources

  • Angiosperm Extinction Risk Predictions v1

    • Angiosperm Threat Predictions
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

  • Flora Zambesiaca

    • Flora Zambesiaca
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  • Kew Backbone Distributions

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0