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

Apocynaceae - Asclepiadoideae - Ceropegieae - Orbeopsis L.C.Leach

Description :

  • Low, caespitose, ± leafless, glabrous, succulent perennials
  • Stems obtusely 4-angled, with tubercle-like, deltoid, short teeth very prominent and widely spreading, arranged along angles of stem, usually with stipular denticles
  • Flowers few to many in umbelliform-fasciculate inflorescences, with few to many flowers opening together or in quick succession; usually rotate, lacking an annulus, with or without a distinct tube; mostly strongly foetid
  • Corona glabrous, ± cyathiform, partly or completely included, outer lobes usually broadly spreading, inner lobes erectly spreading, usually much exceeding anthers, sometimes recurved
  • Staminal column hollowed below anther wings with an inwardly directed nectarial orifice
  • Anthers horizontal above style head, margins often not shrinking back and frequently covering pollinia
  • Pollinia ± D-shaped, pellucid margin twisting onto dorsal surface
  • Follicles erect, terete-fusiform, glabrous, smooth
  • x = 11 (polyploidy)

Nomenclature:

  • Orbeopsis L.C.Leach
    • Leach: 61 (1978)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species 10, Angola and southern Africa
  • Southern Africa : Species 9, Namibia, Botswana

References:

  • LEACH, L.C. 1978. A contribution towards a new classification of Stapelieae ( Asclepiadaceae ) with a preliminary review of Orbea Haw. and descriptions of three new genera. Excelsa, Taxonomic Series 1