e-Key v3 - Pachycymbium
SANBI Flora Keys Logo
Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

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

Description :

  • Glabrous, succulent perennials
  • Stems arising from rhizomatous rootstocks, obtusely 4-angular, with tubercle-like, deltoid or broken, acute, very prominent, widely spreading teeth along angles; teeth often with stipular denticles towards apex
  • Flowers in few-flowered inflorescences, appearing together or in quick succession, shortly pedicellate, arising in small fascicles along sides of stems, usually towards apex
  • Corolla campanulate, under 25 mm in diameter, thick, rigidly fleshy, with a thickened glabrous annulus surrounding mouth of tube
  • Corona entirely enclosed in tube, deeply urceolate, inner lobes closely incumbent upon anthers, not erectly produced
  • 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:

  • Pachycymbium L.C.Leach
    • Leach: 69 (1978)
    • Gilbert: 20 (1990)
    • Plowes: 103 (1993)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Southern Africa : Species 2, Northern Province, Gauteng and Mpumalanga
    • One extending to Zimbabwe

References:

  • GILBERT, M.G. 1990. A review of Caralluma R.Br. and its segregates. Bradleya 8
  • 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
  • PLOWES, D.C.H. 1993. The taxonomy of the genera Pachycymbium Leach and Angolluma Munster ( Stapelieae : Asclepiadaceae ). Excelsa 16