Monopsis debilis

Description

Monopsis debilis is a bell plant species that was first described by Carl von Linné d.y., and got its current name from Karel Presl. Monopsis debilis belongs to the genus Monopsis and the family of bellflowers. No subspecies are listed in the Catalog of Life. Monopsis is a genus of small, Lobelia-like herbaceous plants indigenous to Africa. A few species are annuals, but most are perennials. Common names are not well established, but often refer to more familiar plants, as in "wild violet" for Monopsis unidentata, "yellow lobelia" for Monopsis lutea or "pansy lobelia" for Monopsis debilis. Their stems are variously but irregularly branched and in many species are prostrate and creeping, rooting at nodes. Such species are horticulturally useful components of flat ground cover. The leaf placement or phyllotaxis of the various species also varies, being either opposite or alternate, depending on the species. The leaves are fairly small and generally lightly to markedly toothed. In shape the leaves are simple, and those of various species vary from elliptic, through lanceolate, to short linear. The flowers may be borne in terminal racemes or spikes, but most species bear numerous solitary flowers on pedicels in leaf axils. The pedicels generally twist in such a manner as to present the three-petalled lip uppermost, though in some species such as Monopsis decipiens the two-petalled lip is usually on top. Consistency on this respect is most likely an adaptation to favour preferred pollinators, as it permits them to perform their functions most efficiently, both for the plant and for their own reproductive success. Most species have flowers of either yellow or purple; the colours being vibrant and intense, much like those of many of the Lobelia species. A few have flowers of various intermediate colours such as salmon. Flowers of some species, such as Monopsis decipiens are colourfully patterned. Some species have white flowers. The calyx has five lobes, its tube being fused to the ovary. The corolla has five petals, the corolla tube of most species being split nearly to its base, forming two lips or lobes. The upper lip has three of the petals, the lower lip the remaining two. In some species the petals of the two-part lip are nearly fully fused, but in others they are nearly completely split.