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

Gentianaceae - Enicostema Blume

Description :

  • Erect, perennial herbs
  • Leaves opposite
  • Flowers small, many, in axillary clusters
  • Calyx 5-lobed; lobes keeled
  • Corolla 5-lobed to ± midway or deeper, white, drying yellowish
  • Stamens 5, arising from corolla tube below sinuses; filaments with a double-hooded scale at base; anthers erect, not twisted, acute
  • Ovary 1-locular, obtuse; style short, subulate; stigma terminal, capitate
  • Capsule 2-valved, splitting septicidally
  • Seeds many, reticulate
  • x = 19

Nomenclature:

  • Enicostema Blume
    • Blume: 848 (1826)
    • Hill & Prain: 1117 (1909)
    • Marais & Verdoorn: 237 (1963)
    • Paiva & Nogueira: 49 (1990)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species 3, 1 from America, 1 from Madagascar, 1 from Africa and Asia
  • Southern Africa : Species 1: Enicostema hyssopifolium (Willd.) I.C.Verd., Namibia, Botswana, Northern Province, Mpumalanga, Swaziland and N KwaZulu-Natal

References:

  • BLUME, C.L. 1826. Enicostema . Bijdragen tot de flora van Nederlandsch Indië 14. Lands Drukkerij, Batavia
  • HILL, A.W. & PRAIN, D. 1909. Gentianeae . Flora capensis 4, 1
  • MARAIS, W. & VERDOORN, I.C. 1963. Gentianaceae . Flora of southern Africa 26
  • PAIVA, J.A.R. & NOGUEIRA, I. 1990. Gentianaceae . Flora zambesiaca 7,4