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

Acanthaceae - Acanthoideae - Ruellieae - Ruelliinae - Ruelliopsis C.B.Clarke

Description :

  • Shrublets; stems sometimes procumbent from woody rootstock and rooting at nodes
  • Leaves linear, entire, usually setose
  • Inflorescence axillary, dichasial cymes or solitary flowers; bracts linear, longer than calyx; bracteoles ± as long as calyx
  • Calyx subregular; lobes 5, linear, setose; tube shorter than lobes
  • Corolla subregular; lobes 5, obovate; aestivation contorted; tube longer than lobes, narrow, widening above
  • Androecium : fertile stamens 4, didynamous; filaments arising in pairs, in upper part of corolla tube, included; anthers 2-thecous; thecae parallel, muticous or spurred; staminodes 0
  • Pollen spheroidal, 3-porate, with many pseudocolpi; pore lipped; surface reticulate
  • Disc annular
  • Gynoecium : ovary with 1-4 ovules in each locule; style terete, slightly exserted; style branch 1, ventral lobe flattened, longer than broad
  • Capsule cylindric, estipitate, with inelastic placental bases
  • Seeds compressed, orbicular, with hygroscopic hairs over whole surface
  • x = 17 (16, 18)

Nomenclature:

  • Ruelliopsis C.B.Clarke
    • Clarke: 59 (1899)
    • Meyer: 65 (1968)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species 2 or 3, Africa
  • Southern Africa : Species 2, Namibia, Botswana and mainly northern and western parts of South Africa

References:

  • BURKILL, I.H. & CLARKE, C.B. 1899. Acanthaceae . Flora of tropical Africa 5
  • CLARKE, C.B. 1899. see BURKILL & CLARKE. 1899
  • MEYER, P.G. 1968. Acanthaceae . Prodromus einer Flora von Südwestafrika 130