Struthiola rhodesiana B.Peterson

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 9, Part 3. Polygonaceae-Myriaceae. Pope GV, Polhill RM, Martins ES. 2006.

Type

Type:Zimbabwe, Nyanga Distr., Mare R., 1800 m, fl. & fr. 21.x.1946, Wild 1449 (K, holotype; BR; LD; PRE; SRGH).

Morphology General Habit

Small shrub or undershrub, 15–60 cm high, moderately branched Small shrub or undershrub, 15–60 cm high, moderately branched.

Morphology Branches

Branches usually decumbent, slender, tetragonal or terete with prominent leaf-scars, glabrous, sometimes with small tufts of hairs below the insertion of the leaves Branches usually decumbent, slender, tetragonal or terete with prominent leaf-scars, glabrous, sometimes with small tufts of hairs below the insertion of the leaves.

Morphology Leaves Leaf lamina

Lamina (3)5–7(9) × 1–1.2 mm, lanceolate, acute, glabrous, usually striate Lamina (3)5–7(9) × 1–1.2 mm, lanceolate, acute, glabrous, usually striate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles

Bracteoles (2)3–4.5 mm long, lanceolate, acute, glabrous, sparsely ciliate Bracteoles (2)3–4.5 mm long, lanceolate, acute, glabrous, sparsely ciliate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers greenish-white, yellow, pink or reddish, with a whorl of hairs at the base Flowers greenish-white, yellow, pink or reddish, with a whorl of hairs at the base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube (5)6–8(9) mm long, glabrous; lobes cuneate-lanceolate, the outer c. 2 × 0.5–0.8 mm, the inner c. 1.5 × 0.2–0.4 mm, glabrous Calyx tube (5)6–8(9) mm long, glabrous; lobes cuneate-lanceolate, the outer c. 2 × 0.5–0.8 mm, the inner c. 1.5 × 0.2–0.4 mm, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 8, fleshy, c. 0.5 mm long, narrow oblong, reddish, the surrounding hairs slightly longer Petals 8, fleshy, c. 0.5 mm long, narrow oblong, reddish, the surrounding hairs slightly longer.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers

Anthers nearly sessile, c. 1 mm long, introrse, included; pollen c. 20 m in diameter Anthers nearly sessile, c. 1 mm long, introrse, included; pollen c. 20 m in diameter.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary ovoid, glabrous; disk cupuliform, membranous; style a little shorter than the tube

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed c. 2 mm long. Seed c. 2 mm long.

Ecology

In mountain grassland, amongst rocks, and by streams; 1500–2200 m.

Note

Struthiola rhodesiana is closely allied to S. parviflora Bartl. ex Meisn. in South Africa (Swellendam to Stutterheim) but is distinguished from it by the glabrous branchlets, leaves without ciliate margins, and the lack of tufts of hair on the outer calyx lobes.

Distribution

ZIM E Known only from the eastern border area of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary ovoid, glabrous; disk cupuliform, membranous; style a little shorter than the tube.