PLANTAE / PHANEROGAMAE / ANTHOPHYTA / ASTERALES / LOBELIACEAE / LOBELIEAE / LOBELIA / LAXA

Lobelia laxa MacOwan
NE Indigenous
Morphological description

Herba glaberrima, caule erecto, nudo vel subfoliato, 30-40 cm longo. Folia plurima rosulata, spathulata vel obovato-oblonga, apice rotundata vel obtusa, 2-5 cm longa et 1-2 cm lata, folia caulina lanceolata vel oblanceolata vel linearia, 3-6 cm longa et 0.2-0.8 cm lata, omnia in petiolum 5-15 mm longum attenuata, margine obsolete crenata vel dentata vel obtusiusculo-dentata. Flores in racemo laxo, secundo, 5-11-floro. Bracteae lineares, 2-3 mm longae. Pedicelli 6-18 mm longi, demum ad 35 mm elongati, ebracteolati, arrecti, validiores quam illi Lobeliae nudae, quae nostrae proxima. Tubus calycis oblongo-obconicus, lobi subulati, integri, subpatentes, 3 mm longi. Corolla coerulea, 11-13 mm longa, lobi superiores sublineares, inferiores obovato-oblongi. Filamenta 3 mm longa, glabra. Antherae striatae, ca. 2 mm longae. Capsula oblonga, 6 mm longa. From: Wimmer, FE. 1953. Campanulaceae-Lobelioideae II. In: A Engler, L Diels, H Stubbe & K Noack (eds). Pflanzenr. (Engler) (Heft 107): 1-813. Akademie Verlag, Berlin. [All rights reserved]

A glabrous herb with an erect, naked or sparsely leafy stem 30–40 cm long; leaves mostly rosulate, spathulate to obovate-oblong, rounded or obtuse at the apex, 2–5 × 1–2 cm, cauline leaves lanceolate to oblanceolate or linear, 3–6 × 0.2–0.8 cm, all attenuate to a petiole 5–15 mm long, margin obscurely crenate, dentate, or obtusely dentate; flowers in a lax, secund, 5–11-flowered raceme; bracts linear, 2–3 mm long; pedicels 6–18 mm long, ultimately to 35 mm, ebracteolate, erect, stouter than in the closely related Lobelia nuda; calyx tube oblong-obconic, lobes subulate, entire, subpatent, 3 mm long; corolla blue, 11–13 mm long, upper lobes sublinear, lower obovate-oblong; filaments 3 mm long, glabrous; anthers striate, ca. 2 mm long; capsule oblong, 6 mm long. [Translated with Google Gemini 1.5 (21/01/2025)] From: Wimmer, FE. 1953. Campanulaceae-Lobelioideae II. In: A Engler, L Diels, H Stubbe & K Noack (eds). Pflanzenr. (Engler) (Heft 107): 1-813. Akademie Verlag, Berlin. [All rights reserved]

Perennial, ± glabrous herb, with stem erect, leafless or slightly leafy, 0.3-0.4 m long. Leaves mostly in a rosette, spathulate or obovate-oblong, 20-50 x 10-20 mm; cauline leaves lanceolate or oblanceolate or linear, 30-60 x 2-8 mm, all narrowing into a 5-15 mm long petiole, margins faintly crenate or dentate or very obtusely dentate. Flowers in a lax, secund, 5-11-flowered raceme. Calyx: tube oblong-obconic; lobes subulate, entire, 3 mm long. Corolla blue, 11-13 mm long; upper lobes sublinear, lower ones obovate-oblong. Flowering time Sept.-Mar. From: Leistner, OA; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Campanulaceae s.l.: Lobelia L. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1): 736-741. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Perennial herb, up to 0.4 m high; ± glabrous. Flowering stems decumbent, leafless or slightly leafy. Leaves mainly in a basal rosette, petiolate; blade spathulate or obovate-oblong, 20-50 x 10-20 mm, apex rounded or obtuse, stem leaves narrowly ovate, narrowly obovate or linear, 30-60 x 2-8 mm, margins faintly crenate or dentate or very obtusely dentate, upper stem leaves diminishing in size, sessile. Flowers: in a lax, 5-11-flowered raceme; bracts linear, 2-3 mm long; pedicels 6-18 mm long, at length elongating to 35 mm, upright; calyx tube oblong-obconic, lobes subulate, entire, somewhat spreading, 3 mm long; corolla 11-13 mm long, upper lobes sublinear, lower ones obovate-oblong; blue; Sep.-Mar. From: Retief, E; Meyer, NL. 2017. Lobeliaceae. In: E Retief & NL Meyer (eds), Plants of the Free State: Inventory and identification guide. Strelitzia 38: 621-627. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Decumbent herb. Stems 300-400 mm long, bare of leaves. Leaves at base rosulate, lamina spathulate to obovate-oblong, apex round to obtuse. Flowers blue. From: Retief, E; Herman, PPJ. 1997. Plants of the northern provinces of South Africa: Keys and diagnostic characters. Strelitzia 6: 1-681. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Habitat

Damp grassland near rivers and in vleis, alt. 1200-1800 m. Dry Highveld Grassland. From: Leistner, OA; Bredenkamp, CL. 2019. Campanulaceae s.l.: Lobelia L. In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1): 736-741. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Mesic Grassland. Mountain grassland. From: Retief, E; Meyer, NL. 2017. Lobeliaceae. In: E Retief & NL Meyer (eds), Plants of the Free State: Inventory and identification guide. Strelitzia 38: 621-627. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Watercourses. From: Retief, E; Herman, PPJ. 1997. Plants of the northern provinces of South Africa: Keys and diagnostic characters. Strelitzia 6: 1-681. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria. [CC BY]

Distribution

South Africa, Lesotho. From: Wimmer, FE. 1953. Campanulaceae-Lobelioideae II. In: A Engler, L Diels, H Stubbe & K Noack (eds). Pflanzenr. (Engler) (Heft 107): 1-813. Akademie Verlag, Berlin. [All rights reserved]

Flowering time

September to March

Altitude

1200 to 1800 m

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

iNaturalist: BODATSA: Data partners records:

Residence status

Occurrence in the Flora of Southern Africa (FSA) countries and South African provinces. Residence status indicates if a taxon is indigenous, endemic, naturalised or invasive in a specific region. This data is based on specimen records and literature

FSA

SA

BOT

NAM

ESW

LES

WC

EC

NC

FS

GA

KZN

LP

MP

NW

Absent

Indigenous

Endemic

Naturalised

Invasive

https://seis-sanbi.azureedge.net/anura/default/asset.do?preview=255102

Names and Sources

Accepted name
Lobelia laxa MacOwan

Published in: J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 25: 392 (1890)

Synonym(s)

Lobelia krookii Zahlbr., as 'krooki'

Published in: Ann. Nat. Hofmus. Wien 18: 407 (1903)


Lobelia tysonii E.Phillips

Published in: Ann. S. African Mus. 16: 176 (1917)


Classification

KINGDOM Plantae

SUBKINGDOM Phanerogamae

PHYLUM Anthophyta

ORDER Asterales

FAMILY Lobeliaceae

SUBFAMILY Lobelieae

GENUS Lobelia

SPECIES laxa

45 results for Lobelia laxa MacOwan

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Specimen records

Barcode: PRE0203392-0 Collector(s) & number: Wood, JM, 5398 | 1893-11-28

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, HOWICK

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0203394-0 Collector(s) & number: Galpin, EE, 2754 | 1899-11-

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, RIETVLEI; GREENWICH FARM

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0203399-0 Collector(s) & number: Dieterlen, A, 811A | 1915-1-

Lesotho, MAFETENG DIST.; LIKHOELE; SELIBANENG FARM

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0203393-0 Collector(s) & number: Devenish, NJ, 992 | 1963-2-10

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, UTRECHT DIST.; NAAUWHOEK

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0203402-0 Collector(s) & number: Goossens, APG, 322 | 1930-11-25

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, MOUNT CURRIE DIST

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0203400-0 Collector(s) & number: Compton, RH, 21522 | 1949-2-27

Lesotho, MOKHOTLONG

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0203401-0 Collector(s) & number: Flanagan, HG, 1609 | 1892-12-

South Africa, Eastern Cape, MOLTENO; BROUGHTON

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0203395-0 Collector(s) & number: Mogg, AOD, 5694 | 1919-10-29

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, DARGLE ROAD

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0050614-0 Collector(s) & number: Edwards, TJ, 1335 | 1995-9-

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Balgowan: Damp riverine.

General notes: Damp riverine grassveld. Small heterophyllous herb. Flowers smokey-blue. Conf: NC Netnou

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0470690-0 Collector(s) & number: Coleman, TA, 710 | 1973-12-13

South Africa, Eastern Cape, THORNHAM FARM

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0470689-0 Collector(s) & number: Coleman, TA, 821 | 1975-12-5

South Africa, Eastern Cape, THORNHAM FARM; RIVER AREA

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0541517-0 Collector(s) & number: Jacobsen, NHG, 5093 | 1996-3-20

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Sithundu on Mvoti River near clinic. ± 20 km from Mapumulo.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0547039-0 Collector(s) & number: Jacobsz, ML, 3977 | 1978-12-14

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, LOTENI NAT. RES.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0574843-0 Collector(s) & number: Kroon, NV, 15877 | 1998-2-22

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Knysna District: Diepwalle Forest Station. In wet mud on bank. Dam across road from entrance to King Edward VII tree.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0601144-0 Collector(s) & number: Hilliard, OM, 11155 | 1978-1-1

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, MPENDHLE DIST.; VERGELEGEN N.R.; MAHLANGUBO RIVER VALLEY.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0651101-0 Collector(s) & number: Beeton, HW, 37 | 1916-11-13

South Africa, Mpumalanga, WAKKERSTROOM; TOWN LANDS

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0682317-0 Collector(s) & number: Nicholas, A, 2054 | 1984-11-26

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, HIGHMOOR STATE FOR.; BELOW KA - MBEVULA RIDGE NEAR THE GABLE. STEEP SLOPE

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0767017-0 Collector(s) & number: Baard, JA, 106 | 1993-12-

South Africa, Western Cape, George-Knysna.

General notes: Forest ecotone. Forb.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0860498-0 Collector(s) & number: Middelberg, G, 35 | 2003-1-26

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Diepkloof.

General notes: River edge. Biotic effect: natural. No slope.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0122792-0 Collector(s) & number: Edwards, T, 1335 | 1995-9-

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Balgowan.

General notes: Small heterophyllous herb of damp riverine grassveld. Flowers smokey blue.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0122804-0 Collector(s) & number: Groll, J, 3 | 1991-9-15

South Africa, Gauteng, Megawatt Park, Johannesburg.

General notes: Wet site. Flowers blue and yellow.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0127517-0 Collector(s) & number: Greene, TR, 1195 | 2001-2-8

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Lotheni Nature Reserve.

General notes: Leaves basal, simple. Leaves up the stem toothed, stem branching from base. Herb. Erect. Flowers blue, no scent. Vegetation type: grassland. Moisture regime: seepage area. Exposure: full sun. Plant height: 0.45m. Local abundance: occasional. Grid Ref: 2929BCA.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0126429-0 Collector(s) & number: Bester, SP, 423 | 1993-3-18

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Drakensberg, Maclear, Farm Bushy Ridge, ca. 25km North West from Ugie.

General notes: Grassland, well drained sandy soil. Aspect North, steep slope. Rested camp. Plant 0,5m high. Flowers light purple. Occasional.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: PRE0867583-0 Collector(s) & number: Steyn, HM, 2267 | 2016-1-23

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Komgha District. Kei Mouth. On dirt road to Morgan's Bay.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0117190-0 Collector(s) & number: Bester, SP, 1503 | 1993-11-5

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Maclear, Maclear commonage, ±4Km north west of Maclear.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0110390-0 Collector(s) & number: Abbott, ATD, 4867 | 1990-1-6

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Ngeli, East of Dakota Kop.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0084950-0 Collector(s) & number: Coleman, TA, 1013 | 1978-2-25

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Weza.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0105688-0 Collector(s) & number: Green, DM, 601 | 1989-11-13

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, "Rensburgspruit", Estcourt District.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0073676-0 Collector(s) & number: Coleman, TA, 821 | 1975-12-5

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Farm Thornham. Kokstad.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0069816-0 Collector(s) & number: Coleman, TA, 710 | 1973-12-13

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Farm Thornham. Kokstad.

General notes: In frequent.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0101635-0 Collector(s) & number: Hutchings, A, 1951 | 1958-12-7

South Africa, Eastern Cape, Thaba Chitja, Ongeluk's Nek, northern slope above road between Police Post and Basuto Border Post.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0148245-0 Collector(s) & number: Ngwenya, AM, 4682 | 2018-11-2

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Harry Gwala District Municipality area. Greater Kokstad Local Municipality area. Constantia Farm.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NH0084442-0 Collector(s) & number: Green, DM, 375 | 1985-12-

South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Mooi River/Greytown road. Sierra Ranch.

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG1573156-2 Collector(s) & number: Shearing, DAMB, 1399 | 1987-1-31

South Africa, Western Cape, Beaufort West. Karoo National Park. Mount View. Alt: 6000 ft.

General notes: SCHG7176.0

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Barcode: NBG1573156-1 Collector(s) & number: Shearing, DAMB, 1399 | 1987-1-31

South Africa, Western Cape, Beaufort West. Karoo National Park. Mount View. Alt: 6000 ft.

General notes: SCHG7176.0

Data Resource: BODATSA View record

Observation records

Date: 12/6/2020 10:38:00 AM

Western Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 11/29/2019 1:38:00 PM

Western Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 11/2/2021 11:37:00 AM

KwaZulu-Natal

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 10/25/2019 9:49:00 AM

Western Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 11/30/2019 9:45:00 AM

Western Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 2/8/2021 5:10:00 PM

Eastern Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 11/15/2019 11:11:00 AM

Western Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 12/18/2023 1:27:00 PM

Western Cape, South Africa

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 12/18/2023 12:55:00 PM

Western Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Date: 3/1/2024 9:40:46 AM

Western Cape

Data Resource: iNaturalist View record

Plant occurence records per dataset

Plant occurence records per year

Occurrence records map

This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations

iNaturalist: BODATSA: Data partners records:

2019

SERIES CHAPTER

Campanulaceae s.l.: Lobelia L. Leistner, OA; Bredenkamp, CL

In: CL Bredenkamp (ed.), A Flora of the Eastern Cape Province. Strelitzia 41(1)736-741

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2017

SERIES CHAPTER

Lobeliaceae Retief, E; Meyer, NL

In: E Retief & NL Meyer (eds), Plants of the Free State: Inventory and identification guide. Strelitzia 38: 621-627

South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria

2007

BOOK

World checklist and bibliography of Campanulaceae Lammers, TG

Royal Botanic Gadens, Kew, Surrey

1997

SERIES

Plants of the northern provinces of South Africa: Keys and diagnostic characters Retief, E; Herman, PPJ

Strelitzia 6: 1-681

National Botanical Institute, Pretoria

1953

FLORA

Campanulaceae-Lobelioideae II. Wimmer, FE

In: A Engler, L Diels, H Stubbe & K Noack (eds). Das Pflanzenreich (Engler)(Heft 107)1-813

Akademie Verlag, Berlin

No results found for Lobelia laxa MacOwan

Status

Global

Status and criteria

NE

Assessment date

2016-01-14

Assessor(s)

Plantae Coordinator

Distribution

Range

<p>Endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, this species is widespread across the central regions of southern Africa, occurring from central and northern Namibia, across western Zambia, and throughout the majority of Botswana (with the exception of the extreme east), into western Zimbabwe. The habitat of this species is contiguous, although naturally fragmented. The southern portion of its range extends into the Northern Cape and North West provinces of South Africa, where it occurs in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Tswalu Game Reserve, Hotazel, Blackrock and Winton (Figure 1). Its distribution is associated with red Kalahari arenosols but it also occurs in coarse sandy soils (Bennett 2013). </p><p>The species is said to be sympatric with the Common Mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus) where soil sandiness ensures local niche differentiation (Skinner and Chimimba 2005), which may be the case in the North West Province where such conditions exist (Power 2014). Power (2014) surmises that the Mafikeng Bushveld vegetation type is a zone of sympatry, and that the record 100 km west of Mafikeng marks their most eastern distribution in South Africa and thus their range boundary should be redrawn accordingly.</p>

Habitat and ecology

Major system

Terrestrial

Major habitats

<p>This species occupies semi-arid regions consisting of red Kalahari sands and sandy soils, occupying habitats including grassland, savanna, thornscub and woodland (Bennett 2013). The annual rainfall in these areas is usually low to intermittent (200–400 mm). The Damaraland Mole-rat prefers coarse Kalahari sands, and loose unconsolidated alluvial sands. It is diurnal, subterranean, and lives in colonies averaging 16 individuals. It is one of a growing number of eusocial species of mole-rat emerging from recent research, and as many as 41 individuals have been identified in a single colony (Roper <em>et al.</em> 2001). Colonies consist of a single breeding female, one or more breeding males and their subsequent litters that do not leave the natal group (Bennett and&#160;Jarvis 1988, Jarvis and&#160;Bennett 1993). The non-reproductive members of the colony take up roles of caring for the young and burrow maintenance (Jarvis and Bennett 1993). A recent study reveals that the body shape of the reproductive female is significantly more elongate when compared to nonbreeding (Young and Bennett 2010). Similar to the other eusocial species of mole-rat, the Naked Mole-rat (<em>Heterocephalus glaber</em>) of East Africa, <em>F. damarensis</em>, is found in areas of low, irregular rainfall. Infrequent rainfall results in high energetic costs associated with foraging and burrowing (Lovegrove 1991, Jarvis <em>et al.</em> 1994). Cooperative reproduction, burrowing and foraging is suggested to be an adaptive technique associated with areas of unpredictable food availability and restricted opportunities for independent breeding and dispersal (Jarvis <em>et al.</em> 1994). Feeding mostly on geophytes (Bennett and&#160;Jarvis 1988), its principle food in the Kalahari is the Gemsbok Cucumber (<em>Acanthosicyos naudinianus</em>) (Jarvis <em>et al.</em> 1998). In arid areas, geophytes tend to be clumped or widely dispersed, and are therefore not always spatially predictable in their availability.</p><p>Up to four litters of an average of two young (up to a maximum of six) may be produced each year and, should the breeding female die, the colony will separate. On average, Damaraland Mole-rats live for three years; however, some have been recorded up to 11 years of age (Schmidt <em>et al.</em> 2013). Sex ratios of captured colonies range from 0.8 to 2.1 in favour of males. Mean body mass of individuals in the colony may vary, from 103–202 g in males, and 88–145 g in females, depending upon the ages of the adult non-reproductive animals in the colony (Jacobs <em>et al.</em> 1991).</p><p><strong>Ecosystem and cultural services</strong>: Generally mole-rats are good subterranean ecosystem engineers. Not only do they consume underground vegetation, but they also alter the soil both physically and chemically (Hagenah and&#160;Bennett 2013). Their extensive excavations and the associated impacts generate a dynamic mosaic of nutrients and soil conditions that promote species diversity and maintain disturbance-dependent components of plant communities (Reichman and&#160;Seabloom 2002). </p>

Threats

There are no major threats to this species. As they occupy arid habitats, there is little conflict with agriculture (Bennett 2013). However, optimal conditions for foraging and burrowing are greatly restricted by the unpredictable and sporadic rainfall associated with the semi-arid habitats occupied by this species (Jarvis and Bennett 1991). Climate change in the Kalahari associated with lowered rainfall and an increase in ambient temperatures could affect the food resources (geophytes) of this species and in turn affect its population size and distribution. Additionally, dry soils become difficult to excavate, thus significantly enhancing the energetic costs associated with burrowing (Jarvis et al. 1998).

Population

Population trend

<p>The number of subpopulations of this species is currently unknown, but the Damaraland Mole-rat is considered locally abundant in suitable habitats. Population densities may reach more than 380 individuals / km² in grasslands, thornscrub and wheat fields (J.U.M. Jarvis &amp; N.C. Bennett unpubl. data). However, abundance of subterranean mammals is difficult to estimate (Bennett 2013). </p><p>Although the population is not suspected to be declining, it should be established whether there is a continuing loss in the area of occupancy due to climate change, changes in land-use, and poor farming practices. </p>

Bibliography

JOURNAL ARTICLE
Pinhey, E. 1975. A collection of Odonata from Angola. Arnoldia. 23:1–16

JOURNAL ARTICLE
Pinhey, E. 1976. Dragonflies (Odonata) of Botswana, with ecological notes. Occasional papers of the national Museums and Monuments of Rhodesia, Series B. 5:524-601

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