Virectaria major (K.Schum.) Verdc.

Rubiaceae, D.M.Bridson & B.Verdcourt. Flora Zambesiaca 5:3. 2003

Morphology General Habit

Erect or somewhat scandent herb or subshrub 0.5–2(3) m tall with ± branched stems, glabrescent or covered with appressed to spreading hairs.

Morphology Leaves

Leaf blades 2.3–9.5(14.5) × 0.75–4.5(5.5) cm, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, acute to narrowly acuminate at the apex, cuneate at the base, glabrescent or with long and short hairs on both surfaces, sometimes quite velvety beneath with short hairs; petiole 0.2–1.5 cm long; stipules consisting of a single deltoid lobe 0.1–1 cm long or two subulate-lanceolate lobes 4–8 mm long from a short base together with small colleters on either side.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers white, rose or violet, in dense branched terminal cymes 1.5–4.5 cm wide (5.5 cm in fruit) which are hairy or setose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx tube 1–2 × 1–1.5 mm, urceolate, densely hairy with appressed or patent hairs; lobes 4–6, 3.5–8(11) mm long, filiform to distinctly spathulate, setose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla tube 7–10(13) mm long, 1–1.5 mm wide at the base, 2.5–7 mm wide at the apex, hairy with spreading setae; lobes 6–12(15) × 1–2(2.3) mm, ciliate with long setae; disk 0.8 mm tall and wide, cylindrical.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Style 8–19(23) mm long, exserted; stigma slightly capitate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens exserted, 0.6–1.6(2) cm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit 2–3 mm in diameter, chestnut-coloured, globose, appressed pilose.

Rubiaceae, B. Verdcourt. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1976

Morphology General Habit

Erect or somewhat scandent herb or subshrub 0.5–2(–3) m. tall, with ± branched stems, glabrescent or covered with adpressed to spreading hairs.

Morphology Leaves

Leaf-blades lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 2.3–9.5(–14.5) cm. long, 0.75–4.5(–5.5) cm. wide, acute to narrowly acuminate at the apex, cuneate at the base, glabrescent or with long and short hairs on both surfaces, sometimes quite velvety beneath with short hairs; petiole 0.2–1.5 cm. long; stipules consisting of a single deltoid tooth 0.1–1 cm. long or 2 subulate-lanceolate lobes 4–8 mm. long from a short base together with small colleters on either side.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers white, rose or violet, in dense branched terminal hairy or setose cymes 1.5–4.5(–5.5 in fruit) cm. wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx-tube urceolate, 1–2 mm. long, 1–1.5 mm. wide, densely hairy with adpressed or patent hairs; lobes 4–6 filiform to distinctly spathulate, 3.5–8(–11) mm. long, setose.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla-tube 0.7–1 (–1.3) cm. long, 1–1.5 mm. wide at the base, 2.5–7 mm. wide at the apex, hairy with spreading setae; lobes 0.6–1.2(–1.5) cm. long, 1–2(–2.3) mm. wide, ciliate with long setae.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens exserted 0.6–1.6(–2) cm..

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Disc

Disc cylindrical 0.8 mm. tall and wide.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Style exserted 0.8–1.9 (–2.3) cm. long; stigma slightly capitate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit chestnut-coloured, globose 2–3 mm. diameter, adpressedly pilose.