Ruelliopsis C.B.Clarke

J. R. Timberlake, E. S. Martins (2013). Flora Zambesiaca, Vol 8 (5) Acanthaceae Part 1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb; stems quadrangular; cystoliths conspicuous

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, entire to indistinctly crenate; basal part of petiole forming a stipule-like sheath around stem

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers solitary, axillary; bracteoles linear

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 5-lobed, basal part fused; lobes linear, dorsal wider and longer and lanceolate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla contorted in bud, subactinomorphic, puberulent outside; tube slightly curved, cylindric at base, widening into a distinct throat; lobes 5, subequal, broadly rounded; throat without rugula, without stiff hairs

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 4, didynamous, inserted near base of throat; filaments fused with tube and fused part running like two puberulous ridges into the cylindric part of tube, free part of each short and long filament fused at base; anthers 2-thecous, glabrous, oblong, rounded at apex, all 4 thecae spurred at base; style filiform, hairy throughout; stigma lobe 1, linear, flattened; ovary with 4 ovules per locule

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 8-seeded, ovoid-ellipsoid, glossy, glabrous, valves grooved on back; retinaculae strong, hooked

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds discoid, ellipsoid in outline, with dense hygroscopic hairs.

Distribution

Monotypic genus from N South Africa, S Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.