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

Rubiaceae - Rubioideae - Rubieae - *Sherardia L.

Description :

  • Annual herbs; stems prostrate, 4-angled, somewhat scabrid with small, deflexed prickles
  • Leaves and stipules similar, in whorls of 4-6, sessile; lower leaves obovate-cuspidate, soon withering; upper leaves oblanceolate, mucronate
  • Flowers in heads; heads axillary, pedunculate, with up to 10 connate leaves forming an involucre, 4- to 10-flowered
  • Calyx 4- to 6-toothed, persistent in fruit
  • Corolla 4-lobed, lilac, funnel-shaped with a long tube
  • Stamens 4
  • Ovary 2-locular with a single ovule in each locule; style filiform, bifid, branches unequal; stigmas capitate
  • Fruit of 2, 1-seeded mericarps
  • x = 11

Nomenclature:

  • *Sherardia L.
    • Linnaeus: 102 (1753)
    • Ball: 3 (1976)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species 1, Europe, Mediterranean, West Asia
  • Southern Africa : Species 1: * Sherardia arvensis L., naturalised, Eastern Cape

References:

  • BALL, P.W. 1976. Sherardia . Flora europaea 4
  • LINNAEUS, C. 1753. Species plantarum . Laurentius Salvius, Stockholm.