e-Key <span id="jodit_selection_marker_1710146570063_018703012556359644" data-jodit_selection_marker="start" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>v3 - Geiss<span id="jodit_selection_marker_1710146570063_46032921988165487" data-jodit_selection_marker="end" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>oloma
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Geissolomataceae - Geissoloma Lindl. ex Kunth

Description:

  • Xeromorphic, evergreen shrublets or shrubs with somewhat 4-angled branchlets
  • Leaves decussate, simple, subsessile, cordate-ovate, silky when young, glabrescent; stipules petiolar, minute
  • Flowers bisexual, regular, 4-merous, in short, much-branched, bracteate, axillary racemes along upper twigs; bracts 4 or 6, 2 lowest smallest, persistent; axillary bracteoles sometimes present
  • Perianth 4-partite, persistent, rose-coloured; segments imbricate, 2 outer clasping the inner
  • Stamens 8, arising from base of perianth and slightly shorter than it; filaments linear; anthers elliptic, dorsifixed, versatile, 2-thecous, bilobed at base
  • Ovary superior, 4-locular, narrowly 4-winged, with 2 collateral, pendulous ovules in each locule, rarely 1 ovule aborted; styles 4, twisted at base, narrowed and cohering upwards, longer than ovary; stigmas small
  • Fruit a 4-locular capsule, dehiscing by 4 longitudinal sutures on wings of locules
  • Seed single in each locule, whitish, smooth, shiny, with brittle testa

Nomenclature:

  • Geissoloma Lindl. ex Kunth
    • Kunth: 678 (1830)
    • Stephens l.c.
    • Dahlgren & Rao l.c.

Distribution & Notes:

  • Southern Africa: Species 1: Geissoloma marginatum (L.) A.Juss., Western Cape: Swellendam to Riversdale District

References:

  • DAHLGREN, R. & RAO, V.S. 1969. A study of the family Geissolomataceae. Botaniska Notiser 122
  • KUNTH, C.S. 1830. Über die Thymelaeen und eine neue, ihnen verwandte Pflanzenfamilie, die Penaeaceen. Linnaea 5
  • STEPHENS, E.L. 1915. Geissolomaceae. Flora capensis 5,2

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