Psorospermum febrifugum Spach

Guttiferae, N. K. B. Robson. Flora Zambesiaca 1:2. 1961

Morphology General Habit

Shrublet to shrub or small tree (0·3) 1–6 m. high, much branched, with bark peeling or flaking, often corky.

Morphology Stem

Stems terete (sometimes flattened or ± quadrangular above), glabrous to densely rusty-tomentose.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves coriaceous, deciduous, usually strictly opposite, subsessile or shortly petiolate; lamina up to 11 × 8 cm. but often much smaller, varying from subrotund to ovate, obovate, or elliptic, acute, obtuse or rounded at the apex, subcordate to rounded or broadly cuneate at the base, glabrous or glabrescent above, varying from glabrous to densely rusty-tomentose below but always white or pallid with conspicuous reticulate venation, the tertiary veins often prominent, with dark glandular dots usually ± confined to the apex and margins; petiole up to 2 (4) mm. long, glabrous or rusty.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminating main or lateral shoots, cymose, appearing paniculate, variable in size and in degree of indumentum, usually pedunculate, branches ± quadrangular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 3–4 mm. long, elliptic to lanceolate, rusty-tomentose or glabrescent outside.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals up to 6 mm. long, elliptic to obovate, acute, white or yellowish-white, streaked with dark purple-red.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Staminodes

Fasciclodes glabrous, bfid to truncate or apiculate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 5–6 per fascicle; filaments villous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Berry bright red, c. 10 mm. in diam.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds c. 5 mm. long.

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: not threatened. Confidence: confident

Hypericaceae, E. Milne-Redhead. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1953

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or small tree, 1–6 m. high, often with corky bark.

Morphology Stem

Stems terete; dormant buds densely rusty-tomentose; stems varying from glabrous to densely rusty-tomentose.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves deciduous, strictly opposite, shortly petiolate; blades variable in shape, subrotund, ovate, obovate, elliptic up to 9 cm. long and 6.5 cm. broad, often much smaller, acute, obtuse or rounded at the apex, subcordate, rounded or broadly cuneate at the base, varying from glabrous to densely rusty-tomentose below, with a conspicuous reticulation showing on the pallid less tomentose surfaces, sometimes with scattered glandular dots, glabrous or glabrescent above.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence terminating either main or lateral shoots, variable in size and degree of indumentum, usually pedunculate, appearing paniculate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals ovate-elliptic, about 3 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals elliptic, up to 6 mm. long, with linear glands, white marked with red or purple.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 5 per bundle; filaments villous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Staminodes

Staminodes fleshy, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Berry red, about 10 mm. in diameter.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds about 5 mm. long.

Figures

Fig. 4, p. 17.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/143722143/143722145

Conservation

LC - least concern