Vangueria proschii Briq.

Rubiaceae, D. Bridson. Flora Zambesiaca 5:2. 1998

Morphology General Habit

Shrub 1.8–3 m tall; stems mostly slender, with grey or dark reddish-brown bark, at first with rather long spreading pubescence, later glabrescent or glabrous; branches often short.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 1–8(12.5) × 0.5–3.8(6) cm, oblong, narrowly elliptic or elliptic-lanceolate, acute or acuminate at the apex, cuneate to rounded at the base, sometimes drying blue-black in colour, particularly the nervation, or stained blue-black in places, pubescent with rather long hairs, almost velvety beneath in young leaves but usually sparser, discolorous to some extent when young; lateral nerves in 5–7 main pairs; petiole 1–6 mm long; stipule bases 1.5 mm long, the appendage 2–7 mm long and filiform, the older stipules conspicuous with dingy hairs inside.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences often appearing before the leaves are fully expanded, short, 0.8–3 cm long, usually 7–13-flowered, spreading setulose pubescent; peduncle short or suppressed, up to 5(10) mm long; pedicels 0.5–2 mm long; bracts 1 × 1 mm, ovate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube 1.5 mm long, broadly obconic, densely spreading pubescent; lobes (0.5)1.2–3.0 × 0.5–1.3 mm, triangular or narrowly oblong.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla obtuse in bud; green or yellow; tube 3–3.5 mm long, broadly cylindrical, with rather long spreading seta-like hairs save at the base of tube; lobes 2.5–5 × 1.5–2 mm, triangular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style exserted (1)2–3 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pollen presenter

Pollen presenter 1.2 mm long, 5-lobed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruits 17(22) mm in diameter.