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

Convolvulaceae - *Dichondra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.

Description :

  • Small, prostrate, glabrous or silky-pubescent herbs
  • Leaves cordate-orbicular or reniform, petiolate, entire
  • Flowers small, solitary, axillary
  • Calyx 5-segmented
  • Corolla with broadly campanulate tube; lobes 5, induplicate
  • Stamens shorter than corolla; anthers oblong to subglobose; pollen smooth
  • Ovary deeply 2-lobed, 2-locular, with 2 ovules in each locule, hairy; styles 2, free or connate below, attached between lobes of ovary; stigmas capitate
  • Fruit of 2 membranous capsules, indehiscent or irregularly 2-valved
  • Seeds 1(2) in each locule, subglobose or obovoid
  • x = 15 (12 - 1 report)

Nomenclature:

  • *Dichondra J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
    • Forster & Forster: 20 (1776)
    • Meeuse: 657 (1957)
    • Meeuse & Welman: 16 (2000)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global : Species 4 or 5, principally American, with 1 species introduced in the tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres
  • Southern Africa : * Dichondra micrantha Urb., Northern Province, North-West, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western and Eastern Cape

References:

  • FORSTER, J.R. & FORSTER, G. 1776. Dichondra . Characteres generum plantarum . White, Cadell & Elmsby, London
  • MEEUSE, A.D.J. 1957. The South African Convolvulaceae . Bothalia 6
  • MEEUSE, A.D.J. & WELMAN, W.G. 2000. Convolvulaceae . Flora of southern Africa 28,1