Strobilanthopsis linifolia (C.B.Clarke) Milne-Redh.

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

Type

Zambia, Batoka Highlands, vii–x.1860, Kirk s.n. (K holotype).

Morphology General Habit

Erect or ascending to decumbent or prostrate perennial or shrubby herb or shrub, sometimes pyrophytic, with several unbranched to branched stems from a large woody rootstock; whole plant with strong unpleasant smell of goat; stems to 1(2) m long, puberulous to pubescent or densely so, rarely glabrous, often sticky from stalked capitate glands

Morphology Leaves

Leaves glabrous to pubescent, often with sticky capitate glands; lamina elliptic to obovate or narrowly so or oblanceolate, largest 1.3– 4.3(7) × 0.2–2(3) cm, entire or with a single large tooth per side; apex subacute to rounded; base decurrent to stem; lateral veins arching towards apex

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers solitary or in 3-flowered dichasia in axils of ordinary leaves, usually crowded towards end of branches; peduncle (in cymes) up to 3 mm long; pedicels 1.5–5 mm long, glandular puberulent; bracteoles usually leafy, 3–12 mm long, glandular puberulent and with scattered longer glands

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx (8)10–21 mm long of which the basal fused part is 1–3 mm, glandular puberulous to pubescent or densely so, sticky; lobes strap-shaped, parallel-sided for whole length or widened slightly towards the subacute to rounded apex

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla puberulent outside, pale mauve to bluish purple, pleated part of throat orange, tube brownish, (22)25–45 mm long of which cylindric tube is 6–17 mm, throat 10– 17 mm and lobes 6–13 mm; lobes ovate to oblong or obovate, broadly rounded to truncate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments glabrous, 2–6 and 4–8 mm long; anthers 2.5–3.5 mm long; style hairy throughout

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 10–19 mm long, apical part puberulent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds c.3.5 × 2.5–3 mm.

Distribution

Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi. Also in Angola and Congo.

Ecology

Miombo and other types of woodland and rocky hills, also reported from metalliferous and serpentine soils; 900–1800 m.

Conservation

Widespread; not threatened.

Recognition

Pyrophytic forms are superficially very similar to Dyschoriste tanganyikensis, but are immediately recognisable by the strap-shaped calyx lobes.