Vangueria cyanescens Robyns

Rubiaceae, D. Bridson. Flora Zambesiaca 5:2. 1998

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or small tree, 0.8–5 m tall, often multi-stemmed and sometimes with a spreading crown; stems slender, glabrous, with wine-red bark, smooth when young but soon becoming powdery.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 6.2–11(15.5) × 2.2–4.5 cm, narrowly to broadly elliptic, acute to shortly acuminate at the apex, cuneate or less often rounded at the base, entirely glabrous or sometimes with a few scattered hairs; lateral nerves in 5–6 main pairs; tertiary nerves moderately finely reticulate, often drying blue-black; petiole 2–5 mm long, often drying blackish; stipules on young stems with base c. 2 mm long and appendage c. 5 mm long; older stipules congested with dingy-coloured hairs inside.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences often appear before the leaves are fully expanded, sparsely pubescent to pubescent, 5–13-flowered; main peduncle up to 2.5 mm long; pedicels about 2 mm long, save those of central flower of inflorescence which may be longer.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube c. 1 mm long, pubescent or glabrous; lobes 1.2–1.8 mm long, narrowly oblong, usually glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla obtuse to slightly acuminate in bud; greenish-cream, glabrous; tube c. 4 mm long; lobes 2.5–3.5 mm long, acuminate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 5–6 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pollen presenter

Pollen presenter yellow, 1.2 mm long, cylindrical.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruits green to brownish, 1.8–2 cm diameter, subglobose; pyrenes 4–5, each c. 20 mm long.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/166157765/166545979

Conservation

LC - least concern