Gongronemopsis gazensis (S.Moore) S.Reuss, Liede & Meve

Goyder, D. J., Gilbert, M. G. & Venter, H. J. T. (2020). Apocynaceae (part 2). In: M. A. García (ed.), Flora Zambesiaca, Vol. 7(3). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Type

Mozambique, Kurumadzi R., Jihu, 4.i.1906, Swynnerton 224 (BM holotype, K).

Morphology General Habit

Woody scrambler to several metres; latex white; stems lenticellate or not, minutely pubescent

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with petiole 2–4 cm long, densely pubescent when young, but becoming glabrescent; lamina 5–10 × 3–6 cm, broadly oblong to ovate, apex somewhat attenuate, base truncate to weakly cordate, both surfaces pubescent when young but rapidly becoming glabrescent with remaining indumentum restricted to principal veins

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences extra-axillary, pubescent, with several subumbelliform clusters of flowers on a simple or brached axis, peduncles up to 2.5 cm long; bracts c.1 mm long, triangular; pedicels 4–5 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals c.1.5 × 1 mm, ovate, sparsely or densely pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flower buds ovoid, the corolla lobes overlapping to the right

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla greenish, united basally for c.1 mm, leaving the gynostegium fully exposed; lobes spreading, ovate with a rounded or truncate apex, 2.5–3.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, glabrous except for a sparse tuft of hairs at the base of each lobe

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corona

Corolline corona absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Staminal corona lobes c.1.5 mm long, adnate to the staminal column for around ¾ of their length, fleshy, and at least in herbarium material appearing laterally compressed in lower ¾, the apical portion expanded into an ovate tongue spreading from the column

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anther wings 0.9 mm long, gynostegium sessile

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pollinarium

Corpusculum c.0.3 mm long, subcylindrical; translator arms c.0.2 mm long; pollinia c.0.4 × 0.1 mm, narrowly oblong and somewhat flattened

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Stylar head domed, not or only partially exserted beyond anther appendages

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Follicles not seen, but reported to have a thick mericarp with a smooth surface, tapering to a sharp point or rounded apically, bright green at first, turning black on dehiscence.

Distribution

Zimbabwe, Mozambique. Not known elsewhere

Ecology

Evergreen forest or forest margins, among rocks; 1100– 1800 m.

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: threatened. Confidence: low confidence