Sclerochiton apiculatus Vollesen

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

Type

South Africa, Tongaland, Ingwawuma Dist., near Makanes Point, 26.xii.1969, Hilliard 4895 (K holotype, PRE, S, SRGH).

Morphology General Habit

Erect or scandent shrub to 3(4.5) m tall; young branches sparsely puberulous to pubescent

Morphology Leaves

Leaves slightly anisophyllous, puberulous to pubescent; petiole 1–5(10) mm long; lamina ovate to elliptic, largest 3.5–6.5 × 1.4–2.8(3.5) cm; apex rounded and apiculate or retuse or drawn out into a short obtuse tip; reticulation distinctly raised on both sides

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Spike (2)4–14-flowered; peduncle 0–8 mm long, puberulous to pubescent; rachis to 4 cm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts and bracteoles yellowish brown to dark brown or greenish, broadly ovate-oblong, abruptly apiculate (mucro 2–3 mm long, often recurved) with distinct shoulders, uniformly sericeous-puberulous, with broad scarious ciliate margins; bracts 5–8 mm long; pedicels 0–1 mm long; bracteoles 7–9 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals coloured as bracts, strongly thickened and straw-coloured at base, puberulous or densely so, glandular ciliate, margin scarious; dorsal sepal 1–1.2 cm long, oblong, acute or apiculate, ventral and lateral sepals ovate-oblong, abruptly apiculate with distinct shoulders, ventral 9–11 mm long, lateral 8–9 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla limb blue to purple; tube white, 8–10 mm long, a band of hairs just below insertion of stamens; limb 1.5–2 cm long, deflexed, densely silvery sericeous below; lobes 5–8 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Filaments

Filaments 9–10 mm long, glabrous; anthers 3.5–5 mm long, bearded near middle or two inner glabrous, two outer sparsely hairy on outside, no basal tufts

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsule 1.4–1.7 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds c.5 mm long, with large pectinate scales.

Distribution

Mozambique. Also in South Africa.

Ecology

Coastal bushland and dry forest; 0–50 m.

Conservation

Local distribution; possibly Near Threatened.