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

Stilbaceae - Stilboideae - Thesmophora Rourke

Description :

  • Dwarf, sprawling shrublets inhabiting rock crevices
  • Leaves ericoid, in whorls of 4, very narrowly lanceolate-acute, margins minutely serrate, glabrous
  • Inflorescence a subterminal spike of 20-35 flowers
  • Flowers sessile, subtended by 2 opposite bracts
  • Calyx tubular, regular, glabrous, 5-lobed
  • Corolla tubular, bilabiate, 4-lobed; upper lip rounded, galeate; lower lip of 2 rounded lateral lobes and a minute acute median lobe; lobes densely setose on outer surface
  • Stamens 4, slightly exserted; posterior stamen 0
  • Ovary obconic, with a lobed fleshy disc, minutely stipitate, glabrous, 2-locular with a single pendulous ovule in each locule; style filiform, glabrous

Nomenclature:

  • Thesmophora Rourke
    • Rourke: 89 (1993)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Southern Africa : Species 1: Thesmophora scopulosa Rourke, Ceres Mountains (Western Cape)

References:

  • ROURKE, J.P. 1993. Thesmophora , a new genus of Stilbaceae from South Africa. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 50, 1