e-Key <span id="jodit_selection_marker_1710751988608_08991733448974171" data-jodit_selection_marker="start" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>v3 - Lit<span id="jodit_selection_marker_1710751988608_29519490643197877" data-jodit_selection_marker="end" style="line-height: 0; display: none;"></span>tonia
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Interactive keys to the identification of seed plants of southern Africa using keys based on plant morphology.

Colchicaceae - Littonia Hook.

Description:

  • Climbing geophytes with small tubers bearing short spreading lobes
  • Stems usually simple, scandent or erect
  • Leaves cauline, verticillate below, alternate above, linear to ovate, apex attenuated into a recurved tendril or aristate
  • Flowers cymose, on upper part of stem; pedicels long, arising beside a leaf or unattended
  • Perianth equal, persistent, ascending, slightly saccate at base, yellow
  • Stamens short, filiform; anthers 2-thecous, erect, basifixed
  • Ovary ovoid, trigonous; ovules many; style short, terete, with 3 short falcate stigmatic branches
  • Capsule ovoid, 3-valved, septicidally dehiscent, leathery
  • Seed globose, fleshy, red, on long funicles
  • x = 9, 11 (1 report each)

Nomenclature:

  • Littonia Hook.
    • Hooker: t. 4723 (1853)
    • Baker: 527 (1897)

Distribution & Notes:

  • Global: Species 8, Africa, Arabian Peninsula
  • Southern Africa: Species 2: Littonia modesta Hook. and L. rigidifolia Bredell, widespread, except Free State, Lesotho, Northern and Western Cape

References:

  • BAKER, J.G. 1897. Liliaceae. Flora capensis 6
  • HOOKER, W.J. 1853. Sandersonia aurantiaca, Littonia modesta. Curtis's Botanical Magazine

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