e-Key v3 - Phaulopsis
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Acanthaceae - Acanthoideae - Ruellieae - Petalidiinae - Phaulopsis Willd.

Description :

  • Scrambling or erect
  • Leaves : usually leaves of each pair unequal
  • Inflorescence axillary, partially reduced dichasial cymes subtended by a foliaceous bract
  • Calyx irregular, 2-lipped; upper lip of 4 lobes and lower of 1 much enlarged lobe, glandular-hairy, persistent; tube shorter than lobes
  • Corolla ± 2-lipped; upper lip 2-lobed; lower 3-lobed; lobes oblong or spatulate; aestivation contorted; rugula indistinct; tube longer than lobes, curved
  • Androecium : fertile stamens 4, didynamous, arising ± at middle of corolla tube, included; filaments arising in pairs, linear; anthers 2-thecous; thecae parallel, muticous and sometimes mucronate at base; staminodes 0
  • Pollen prolate, 3-(col)porate, with pseudocolpi; pore lipped; surface reticulate
  • Disc annular, with projection that might represent a fifth stamen
  • Gynoecium : ovary ellipsoid, with 2 ovules in each locule; style terete, finely pilose; style branch 1; ventral lobe sometimes expanded
  • Capsule estipitate, with elastic placental bases
  • Seeds compressed orbicular, with hygroscopic hairs over whole surface
  • x = 17 (1 report)

Nomenclature:

  • Phaulopsis Willd.
    • Willdenow: 342 (1800) name and orthography conserved
    • Manktelow: 1 (1996)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species ± 20, Africa to India
  • Southern Africa : Species 3, N Namibia, Swaziland and northern and eastern provinces of South Africa

References:

  • MANKTELOW, M. 1996. Phaulopsis ( Acanthaceae ): a monograph. Symbolae Botanicae Upsalienses 31,2
  • WILLDENOW, C.L. 1800. Phaulopsis , Lepidagathis . Caroli a Linné Species plantarum 3. Nauk, Berlin