Colchicum roseum (Engl.) J.C.Manning & Vinn.

J. R. Timberlake, E. S. Martins (2009). Flora Zambesiaca, Vol 12 (part 2). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Type

Type Namibia, Hereroland, 1100 m, v.1886, Marloth 1360.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb; corm 12–18 8–16 mm, subglobose, with dark brown to black tunic, set 5–8 cm below ground

Morphology Stem

Stem ± absent above ground level

Morphology Leaves

Leaves numerous, up to c.20, forming a rosette, 8–20 cm long, with an ovate base 10–22 mm wide, becoming linear, 5–7 mm wide and tapering to become long acuminate, tips often broken off in herbarium specimens

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts 25–40 7 mm, ovate-lanceolate, leaf-like, whitish-mauve, appearing pinkish when dry

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers c.4 in a congested head inside the bract, lilac-pink covered with deeper pink dots near base of blade

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Tepal

Tepals 22–28 mm long, with claw 9–10 mm long, blade 13–16 2–6 mm, lanceolate, concave, sometimes notched near apex

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens attached at blade base and about half its length; filament 5 mm long, swollen at place of attachment, c.5 mm long, anther dorsifixed, 2 mm long, oblong

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 7–9 × 5–6 mm, ovoid, with 3 rounded carpels each tapering into a slender style 8–10 mm long with a minute stigma.

Distribution

Caprivi, Botswana, Zambia. Also in Angola and South Africa.

Ecology

Short grass on swampy or waterlogged soil; 850–1200 m

Conservation

Conservation notes Moderately widespread species; not threatened.