Thesium bundiense Hilliard

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: threatened. Confidence: confident

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 9, Part 3. Polygonaceae-Myriaceae. Pope GV, Polhill RM, Martins ES. 2006.

Type

Type:Zimbabwe, Chimanimani Mts., above river Bundi, c. 1620 m, fl. & fr. 27.xii.1957, Goodier & Phipps 185 (SRGH, holotype; K; S).

Morphology Leaves

Leaves sharply ascending, main ones 7–15 × 0.8–1.5 mm, linear, shortly apiculate, margins pale, cartilaginous, midrib slightly raised on dorsal side Leaves sharply ascending, main ones 7–15 × 0.8–1.5 mm, linear, shortly apiculate, margins pale, cartilaginous, midrib slightly raised on dorsal side.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts (lowermost) 10–20 × 1.25–2 mm, linear or linear-lanceolate, adnate to entire length of pedicel; bracteoles 2, 4.3–9 × 1–1.2 mm Bracts (lowermost) 10–20 × 1.25–2 mm, linear or linear-lanceolate, adnate to entire length of pedicel; bracteoles 2, 4.3–9 × 1–1.2 mm.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicels (lowermost) 1.25–8 mm long Pedicels (lowermost) 1.25–8 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Perianth

Perianth colour unknown; tube 1.2–1.4 mm long, external glands ellipsoid, conspicuous; lobes 1.8–2.2 × 0.9–1 mm, triangular, subacute, densely white-bearded from apex Perianth colour unknown; tube 1.2–1.4 mm long, external glands ellipsoid, conspicuous; lobes 1.8–2.2 × 0.9–1 mm, triangular, subacute, densely white-bearded from apex.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens inserted at base of perianth lobes; filaments 0.25–0.5 mm long, nearly hidden by anthers; anthers 0.5–0.9 mm long Stamens inserted at base of perianth lobes; filaments 0.25–0.5 mm long, nearly hidden by anthers; anthers 0.5–0.9 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 1–1.2 mm long; stigma reaching top of tube

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit c. 3 × 3 mm, light brown, 5 ribs strongly raised, 5 intermediates and reticulations much weaker. Fruit c. 3 × 3 mm, light brown, 5 ribs strongly raised, 5 intermediates and reticulations much weaker.

Note

Glaucous in life but dries black. The manner in which the flowering shoots often terminate in a long leafy sterile tip is unusual among species with the perianth lobes bearded from the apex.

Distribution

ZIM E Zimbabwe Known only from the two collections made by Goodier & Phipps “in grasslands on schist soils” and “among quartzite rocks by stream”; locally common.

Morphology General Habit

Perennial herb with woody stolons c. 0.3–0.5 mm in diameter; stems in small tufts, c. 150–250 mm long, erect, simple below, ± virgately branched above, ribbed by vascular strands terminating in midribs of leaves and bracts, leafy. Perennial herb with woody stolons c. 0.3–0.5 mm in diameter; stems in small tufts, c. 150–250 mm long, erect, simple below, ± virgately branched above, ribbed by vascular strands terminating in midribs of leaves and bracts, leafy

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers 1–10 racemosely arranged, solitary in the axil of each bract, oldest flower at apex, sometimes in a 3-flowered cymule, often the flowering axis terminating not in a flower but in a long leafy sterile shoot. Flowers 1–10 racemosely arranged, solitary in the axil of each bract, oldest flower at apex, sometimes in a 3-flowered cymule, often the flowering axis terminating not in a flower but in a long leafy sterile shoot

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Style 1–1.2 mm long; stigma reaching top of tube.