Blepharis glumacea S.Moore

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

Type

Angola, Huíla, Catumba to Ohay, iv.1860, Welwitsch 5052 (BM holotype, C, G, K, LISU, P).

Morphology General Habit

Erect to decumbent annual herb; stems up to 40 cm long, pubescent or sparsely so, often only in a single band, more rarely sparsely sericeous or subglabrous

Morphology Leaves

Leaves scabrid, subglabrous to pilose, only along midrib below, uniformly so above; lamina linear to narrowly ovate or narrowly elliptic, rarely elliptic, widest near base of stems, largest 5–12 × 0.2–1.3 cm; margin entire

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Spike solitary, dispersed whole when mature, terminal on lateral sericeous branch to 5 cm long, with a number of reduced leaves at base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts coriaceous, straw-coloured to greenish with purplish bands and blotches, ovate to elliptic, glabrous and glossy, acute to acuminate with a straight tip, margin entire, scarious; outer pair 5–8 mm long, second pair 7–13 mm long, third pair 12–19 mm long, inner pair 14–21 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles

Bracteoles absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals yellowish brown, often purplish towards apex, very finely ciliate, otherwise glabrous; dorsal 14–20 mm long, ovate-elliptic, narrowing gradually to acute or 2-toothed apex; ventral 12–16 mm long, similar to dorsal, acuminate or 2-toothed at apex; lateral 8–14 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla white or pale blue to pale mauve, 15–22 mm long of which tube is 3–5 mm, callus not ribbed, with 2–3 apical flanges, central smaller than lateral or absent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments 2–6 mm long, glabrous, often with purple spots; anther tooth 1–4 mm long, broadly rounded; anthers 1.5–4.5 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 8–9 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds c.6 × 5 mm.

Distribution

Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi. Also in Mali, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Tanzania and Angola.

Ecology

Brachystegia woodland on sandy to loamy soil, hardpan grassland and rocky outcrops; 1000–1700 m.

Conservation

Widespread; not threatened.

Acanthaceae, H. Heine. Flora of West Tropical Africa 2. 1963

Morphology General Habit

A small herb about 6 in. high with slender stems

Ecology

In savanna.

Acanthaceae (part 1), Kaj Vollesen, Flora of Tropical East Africa, 2008

Morphology General Habit

Erect or procumbent annual herb; stems up to 30(–50) cm long, pubescent to pilose or sparsely so, usually only in a single band.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves: lamina linear to narrowly ovate or narrowly elliptic (widest near base of stems), largest 5–12 × 0.3–1.7(–2.5) cm, margin entire, scabrid, pilose or sparsely so above and on margins, below subglabrous or sparsely pilose along midrib.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Spikes solitary, terminal on a lateral sericeous branch up to 5 cm long, surrounded by reduced leaves, dispersed whole when mature; bracts coriaceous, glabrous and glossy, straw-coloured with purplish bands and blotches, ovate to elliptic, acute to acuminate with straight tip, margin entire, scarious; lower pair 6–9 mm long, second pair 9–13 mm long, third pair 13–19 mm long, inner pair 15–21 mm long; bracteoles absent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals coloured as bracts, very finely ciliate, otherwise glabrous; dorsal ovate-elliptic, 14–20 mm long, narrowing gradually to the acute or 2-toothed apex; ventral similar, 12–16 mm long, acuminate or 2-toothed at apex; lateral 9–14 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla white, pale blue or pale mauve; tube 3–5 mm long; limb 11–19 mm long, callus with 3 apical flanges, central usually smaller.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments 2–6 mm long, glabrous, often purple spotted; appendage 1–4 mm long, broadly rounded; anthers 1.5–4.5 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 8–9 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed ± 6 × 6 mm, ovoid.

Distribution

Range: Mali, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo-Kinshasa, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe Range: Tanzania. Flora districts: T4 T5 T7 T8 Range: Mali, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo-Kinshasa, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe

Ecology

Brachystegia woodland on grey to orange sandy to loamy soil and rocky outcrops; 900–1700 m