Pimpinella caffra subsp. caffra

Umbelliferae, J. F. M. Cannon. Flora Zambesiaca 4. 1978

Morphology General Habit

Relatively slender, probably biennial, herbs up to 60 cm., with narrow taproots; generally lightly pubescent, rarely becoming glabrescent.

Morphology Leaves

Basal leaves (not always evident in specimens) on long petioles up to 15 cm.; lamina rarely simple with dentate margins, but usually subternate to ternate, rarely finely divided. Stem leaves very variable (probably within populations), ternate to 2-ternate, rarely pinnate; segments dentate to finely divided.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Umbels on long peduncles, bearing much-reduced stem leaves with prominent sheathing bases. Rays 8–15, 10–40 mm. long; bracts and bracteoles 0; partial umbels with up to 15 flowers on pedicels 3–8 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals white, with inturned apices, the outer scarcely radiate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit ovoid to very broadly ovoid, slightly laterally compressed, ribs obvious at maturity.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Stylopodium

Stylopodium depressed; styles short, spreading at maturity, clubbed at the apex.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Carpophore

Carpophore deeply 2-cleft; vittae 2–3 in the intervals and 2 in the commissural face.