Thunbergia cycnium S.Moore

J. R. Timberlake, E. S. Martins (2013). Flora Zambesiaca, Vol 8 (5) Acanthaceae Part 1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Type

Angola, Huíla, Lopollo, xii.1859, Welwitsch 5009 (BM holotype, C, K).

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb with several erect stems from a woody rootstock with fleshy roots; stems to 25 cm long, pale yellowish pilose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with sparse long pilose hairs, densest on veins below, above uniformly so, with shorter appressed hairs; petiole 0.5–4(6) mm long; lamina elliptic to slightly obovate, largest c.6.5 × 3 cm; apex retuse, base cuneate, decurrent on petiole; margin entire to slightly crenate-dentate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers solitary, axillary; pedicels 0.5–1 cm long, indumentum as stems; bracteoles green, 1.8–2 × 0.3–0.6 cm, narrowly ovate-oblong, acute, sparsely pilose and with short appressed hairs, distinctly pilose-ciliate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx with subsessile capitate glands, rim c.1.5 mm long, segments 5–6 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla pure white; tube cylindric, straight, 5–7 cm long, c.5 mm wide at throat; lobes 1.2–2.5 × 1.5–2 cm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments c.7 and 10 mm long, glabrous; anthers c.4 mm long, apiculus c.1 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 8–10 mm wide, beak 11–15 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds dark brown, c.6 mm in diameter, with large lamellate-pectinate scales along edges, becoming smaller towards centre.

Distribution

Zambia. Also in Central African Republic, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Angola.

Ecology

In Brachystegia (miombo) woodland; c.1200 m.

Conservation

Widespread, not threatened.

Acanthaceae (part 1), Kaj Vollesen, Flora of Tropical East Africa, 2008

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb with several erect or ascending stems from woody rootstock with fleshy roots; stems to 50 cm long, pale yellowish to whitish pilose or densely so.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves rough; petiole 0.5–4(–6) mm long, indumentum as stems; lamina narrowly to broadly ovate or elliptic or round, largest 4–7.5 × 2.2–4.5 cm, apex subacute to broadly rounded, base cuneate to subcordate, margin entire to irregularly dentate, with sparse to dense long pilose hairs, below densest on veins, above uniformly so, and with shorter appressed (rarely erect) hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers axillary, solitary or 2 per exil; pedicels 2–6 mm long, indumentum as stems; bracteoles green, ovate to oblong or narrowly so, (1.5–)1.8–3 × 0.3–0.8 cm, acute to obtuse, sparsely to densely pilose and with short appressed hairs.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx with sparse subsessile capitate glands, rim 1.5–2.5 mm high, segments 4–6 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla pure white; tube cylindric, straight, 5–7 cm long and ± 5 mm in diameter at throat; lobes 1.2–2.5 × 1.5–2 cm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments ± 7 and 10 mm long, glabrous; anthers ± 4 mm long, apiculus ± 1 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 8–10 mm in diameter, beak 11–15 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed dark brown, ± 6 mm in diameter, with large lamellate-pectinate scales along edges becoming smaller towards centre.

Ecology

Brachystegia woodland, Acacia-Combretum wooded grassland, grassland, in areas subject to regular burning; (550–)1100–1700 m

Distribution

Flora districts: U3 K6 Flora districts: T1 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 Range: Central African Republic, Sudan, Angola, Zambia Range: Central African Republic, Sudan, Angola, Zambia Range: Tanzania. Range: Kenya. Range: Uganda.