Diodia flavescens Hiern

Rubiaceae, B. Verdcourt. Flora Zambesiaca 5:1. 1989

Morphology General Habit

Erect or ascending herb 12–45 cm. tall with several (to c. 10) branched or often ± unbranched stems from a several-headed woody base; stems 4-angled and densely pubescent above, more rounded at base and often ± glabrous, the epidermis eventually peeling.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 1.3–3.5(4) x 0.5–1.7 cm., oblong-elliptic to elliptic, acute at the apex, cuneate to rounded at the base, somewhat to ± distinctly scabrid above, densely rather softly pubescent beneath; petiole c. 1 mm. long; stipule bases 1–2 mm. long, fringed with hairs and with 5–11 usually reddish setae 1 -5 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers few to several in axillary clusters at most nodes, the nodal clusters usually less than 1 cm. diam. in fruiting stage.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube pubescent, c. 1 mm. long, obconic; lobes c. 4, equal or ± unequal, 1.3–3 x 0.5–1 mm., oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, ciliate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla pale yellowish, greenish or white, tube 2.5–3 mm. long, funnel-shaped; lobes 1–2.2 x 0.8–1.2 mm. narrowly triangular, with some hairs outside.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments exserted 0.7–1 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Style exserted 2–2.5 mm.; stigmatic head 0.5 mm. wide, minutely bilobed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Cocci 2.5–3 x 1.5–2 x c. 1.3 mm., semi-ellipsoid or semi-obovoid, densely pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds brownish black, 2–2.8 x 1.6–2 x 1–1.3 mm., semi-oblong-ovoid, or rectangular in outline, with a ventral groove broadened at the apex, dorsally slighdy rugulose and with an apical slit similar to but ± more evident than in last species.