Thunbergia kirkiana T.Anderson

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

Type

Malawi, Blantyre Dist., Mt Sochi, x.1859, Kirk s.n. (K holotype).

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb with several erect to decumbent stems from a creeping woody rootstock; stems to 40 cm long, subglabrous to sericeous, pubescent or densely pubescent, rarely pilose

Morphology Leaves

Leaves puberulous to pubescent or sparsely so or sericeous (rarely pilose); petiole (0.5)0.8–2.5(3) cm long (if less than 8 mm then pedicels over 4 cm), not winged; lamina narrowly ovate to ovate- triangular, largest (3)5–10(11.5) × (1.3)2.2–5(6) cm, less than 3 times longer than wide (if more then pedicels more than 4 cm); apex acute to broadly rounded, base truncate to cordate with rounded hastate lobes; margin entire to crenate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicels (2)3–13 cm long, sparsely sericeous to densely pubescent, rarely pilose; bracteoles leathery, green with brownish often rib-like veins, (1.5)1.7–3.2 × 0.4–0.8(1) cm, narrowly ovate or oblong, acuminate, cuneate to rounded at base, not angular, sparsely sericeous to sericeous, pubescent or densely pubescent, rarely pilose

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 2–4 mm long, puberulous to sparsely so, with or without subsessile glands on lobe margins, rim 1–2 mm high, segments narrowly triangular to linear

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla white, with or without pale yellow centre (rarely pale yellow with darker yellow centre), without purple throat; tube cylindric 5–6 mm long, throat straight, narrowly campanulate, 2–2.6 cm long, 0.5– 0.8 cm wide at apex; lobes 1.5–2.8 × 1.5–3 cm, truncate to broadly emarginate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments 4–5 and 5–6 mm long; anthers 3–5 mm long, apiculate, bearded at base and along side of one theca, spurs c.1 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 11–16 × 8–10 mm, densely puberulous, subglobose, beak narrowly triangular, not constricted at base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds reddish brown, 5–6 mm in diameter, lamellate-pectinate near edges to reticulate near centre.

Distribution

Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique. Also in Tanzania, Congo and Angola.

Ecology

In Brachystegia–Julbernardia woodland and wooded grassland, usually on red lateritic soils; 700–1700 m.

Conservation

Widespread; not threatened.

Recognition

Forms with short petioles are superficially very similar to T. huillensis, but can be distinguished by their broader leaves and/or longer pedicels.

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

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb with several erect to decumbent stems from creeping woody rootstock; stems to 50 cm long, subglabrous to sericeous or pubescent.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with petiole (1–)1.2–2.7 cm long, not winged, indumentum as stems; lamina narrowly ovate to ovate or triangular (rarely ovate-oblong or reniform), largest 3.5–8.5(–11) × 1.5–5.7 cm, less than three times longer than wide (very rarely more but then pedicels over 5 cm long), apex acute to broadly rounded, base truncate to cordate with rounded hastate lobes, margin entire to crenate; puberulous to pubescent or sparsely so or sericeous (rarely subglabrous).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers axillary, solitary; pedicels (3–)4–11 cm long, sparsely sericeous to pubescent (rarely subglabrous); bracteoles leathery, green with brownish often rib-like veins, narrowly ovate or oblong, (1.6–)1.8–2.7(–3.2 in fruit) × 0.4–0.7(–1 in fruit) cm, acuminate, cuneate to rounded at base, not angular, sericeous to pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx glabrous to puberulous, with subsessile glands on edges of lobes, rim 1–2 mm high, segments narrowly triangular to linear, 2–5 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla white with pale yellow centre to lemon yellow with darker yellow centre, without purple throat; cylindric tube 5–7 mm long; throat straight, narrowly campanulate, (1.8–)2.2–2.7 cm long and 0.5–0.7 cm in diameter apically; lobes (1.3–)1.5–2.5 × 1.5–2.5 cm, truncate to broadly emarginate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments 3–5 and 4–6 mm long; anthers 3.5–5 mm long, apiculate, bearded at base and along whole side of one theca; spurs ± 1 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule densely puberulous, subglobose, 9–11 mm in diameter, beak narrowly triangular, not constricted at base, 13–15 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed reddish brown, 5–6 mm in diameter, lamellate-pectinate near edges to reticulate near centre.

Figures

Fig. 7.

Distribution

Range: Tanzania. Range: Congo-Kinshasa, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique Range: Congo-Kinshasa, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique Flora districts: T4 T6 T7 T8

Ecology

Brachystegia-Julbernardia woodland and wooded grassland, montane grassland, often on red loamy lateritic soil; 450–2100 m