Annual herb, stems c. 40-250 mm long, up to 2.5 mm diam. at base, simple to branching from the base and above, erect or decumbent, leafy, glandular-puberulous particularly on the upper parts, pubescent throughout with eglandular hairs up to 0.5-1 mm long, obtuse, usually more or less retrorse. Leaves opposite, often becoming alternate on the inflorescence branches, blade of radical leaves (which are often wanting) c. 4-13 x 2-6 mm, elliptic, tapering to a flat petiolar part c. 3-8 mm long, from about half as long to about equalling the blade; primary stem leaves c. 7-30 x 0.5-4 mm, linear-oblong to oblanceolate, often with axillary tufts of smaller leaves, margins entire to toothed (2-5 pairs of teeth in the upper half) particularly in the larger leaves, upper surface with coarse tapering eglandular hairs up to 0.6-1mm long, mostly along the margins and on the lower half of the blade, lower surface glandular-puberulous, eglandular hairs confined to midrib. Flowers many in crowded rounded heads terminating all the branch-lets, which are nude towards the tips, the heads elongating in fruit and sometimes becoming very lax. Bracts at base of racemes (2-)4-12 x (0.5-)1-1.75 mm, smaller upwards, linear to oblong-lanceolate, adnate to pedicel only or to extreme base of calyx as well, glandular-puberulous all over, eglandular hairs as well, mainly on margins, up to 0.5-1 mm long. Pedicels up to 0.5-1.5 mm long. Calyx bilabiate, tube 1-1.6 mm long, anticous lobe 1.5-2.5 x 0.5-0.8 mm, anticous lip split 1-1.8 mm, posticous lobes narrower and more deeply separated, whole calyx glandular-puberulous with longer eglandular hairs on margins. Corolla tube 2.54 x 0.75-1.2 mm, widening slightly in throat, limb 4-6 mm across the lateral lobes, posticous lobes 0.75-1.75 x 0.75-1.6 mm, anticous lobe 2-3 x 1-2 mm, all lobes elliptic, posticous lip bearded, hairs sometimes extending to the anticous lobes, orange patch at base of posticous lip or lower half of posticous lobes orange, rest of limb blue or mauve, perhaps sometimes creamy-coloured. Stamens 4, anthers 0.6-0.8 mm long, dark-coloured, all well exserted. Stigma well exserted. Capsules 2.5-3 x 2-2.5 mm Seeds many in each loculus, 0.25-0.5 mm long. Flowering has been recorded between March and October with most records (14 out of 21 collections seen) in August and September. From: Hilliard, OM. 1994. The Manuleae: a tribe of Scrophulariaceae. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh. [All rights reserved]
Decumbent annual herb, up to 150 mm tall, much-branched, viscid-pubescent, very leafy. Spikes dense, globose in flower. Flowering calyx or nearly equalling bract. Flowers mauve and orange. 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]
It is clearly allied to M. transvaalense, with which it is frequently confused. They can be distinguished by differences in indumentum: in M. transvaalense, the eglandular hairs on the stem are patent, up to c.0.4 mm long, and sometimes the apical cell is inflated and balloon-like; glandular hairs often predominate. In M. foliosum, eglandular hairs always predominate on the stems and are up to 0.5-1 mm long, taper to the tips, and are usually more or less retrorse. The flowers of the two species are similar in size but differ in colour: limb white in M. transvaalense (apart from the orange blotch), mauve, pink or blue in M. foliosum. This seems to be a constant difference, but it needs further checking. Melanospermum foliosum flowers in spring; the plants presumably appear on sandy sites soon after a rain shower. This is in contrast to both the habitat and flowering time of M. transvaalense, which grows in sandy or gritty seepage areas on rock sheets or among rock outcrops, and flowers mainly between January and March. The area of M. transvaalense lies east of that of M. foliosum, possibly always above c. 1500 m; M. foliosum seems to occur only below c. 1500 m. Their areas meet somewhere between Premier Mine (M. foliosum) and the Wilge Rivier and Brug Spruit on the Pretoria-Middelburg road (typeiocalities for M. transvaalense and Phyllopodium calvum, which is synonymous with M. transvaalense); field work hereabouts might prove instructive. From: Hilliard, OM. 1994. The Manuleae: a tribe of Scrophulariaceae. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh. [All rights reserved]
It is a plant of open sandy places. From: Hilliard, OM. 1994. The Manuleae: a tribe of Scrophulariaceae. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh. [All rights reserved]
Grassland. 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]
Melanospermumfoliosum is widely distributed, though infrequently collected, from northern Namibia (recorded from Otjiwarongo, Okahandja and Gobabis, as well as Uri, the type locality) through Botswana and the northern Cape to the western Transvaal (not recorded east of Premier Mine, Pretoria district), and with a single record from western Zimbabwe, near Bulawayo. From: Hilliard, OM. 1994. The Manuleae: a tribe of Scrophulariaceae. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh. [All rights reserved]
March to October
0 to 1500 m
This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations
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
Names and Sources
Polycarena discolor Schinz
Polycarena foliosa Benth.
Polycarena transvaalensis auct.
Classification
KINGDOM Plantae
SUBKINGDOM Phanerogamae
PHYLUM Anthophyta
ORDER Lamiales
FAMILY Scrophulariaceae
TRIBE Limoselleae
GENUS Melanospermum
SPECIES foliosum
39 results for Melanospermum foliosum (Benth.) Hilliard
Year
Barcode: PRE0137187-0 Collector(s) & number: Brown, 2747 | 1906-7-18
South Africa, Gauteng, PRETORIA DIST.; PYRAMID
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0656665-0 Collector(s) & number: Mogg, AOD, 11451 | 1915-9-17
South Africa, Gauteng, HALF-WAY-HOUSE; BETWEEN PRETORIA AND JOHANNESBURG
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0857938-0 Collector(s) & number: Wiese, W, 1 | --
South Africa, Limpopo, Ellisras District; Boschpoort ±10 km S of Ellisras.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0740242-0 Collector(s) & number: Mogg, AOD, 7976 | 1920-8-23
South Africa, North West, VRYBURG; ARMOEDSVLAKTE
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0576177-0 Collector(s) & number: Nkoana, LS, 461 | 1997-9-13
South Africa, North West, Borakalalo Nature Reserve.
General notes: Open woodland. River/stream bank. Soil. Humus. Full sun. NE aspect. Moderate slope. Herb. 160 mm tall. Flowers present. Common.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0138485-0 Collector(s) & number: Leeman, AC, PRE 40675 | 1928-9-8
South Africa, Gauteng, PRETORIA DIST.; WITFONTEIN
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0554299-0 Collector(s) & number: Jacobsen, NHG, 5428 | 1996-9-16
South Africa, Gauteng, Bronkhorstspruit: Vaalplaas; Rustfontein Farm 488 JR.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0656666-0 Collector(s) & number: Mogg, AOD, 7933 | 1970-9-14
South Africa, North West, VRYBURG; ARMOEDSVLAKTE
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0139414-0 Collector(s) & number: Janse, AJT, TRV 3460 | 1907-11-
South Africa, Gauteng, PRETORIA
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0139415-0 Collector(s) & number: Pehrsson, A, TRV 5109 | 1907-9-
South Africa, Gauteng, JOHANNESBURG
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0137188-0 Collector(s) & number: Gilliland, HB, J 28035 | 1954-8-14
South Africa, Gauteng, WITWATERSRAND; FRANKENWALD
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0137186-0 Collector(s) & number: Bailey, H, 3016 | 1906-10-
South Africa, Limpopo, NYLSTROOM; MODDERPOORT
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0732080-0 Collector(s) & number: Speedy, JG, 18/8 | 1988-7-1
South Africa, North West, VRYBURG DIST; ZOET VLEY FARM; SPARSELY DOTTED AROUND VELD
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0139466-0 Collector(s) & number: Wright, TRV 23436 | 1923-8-
South Africa, Gauteng, KOEDOESPOORT
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0541768-0 Collector(s) & number: Hansen, OJ, 3151 | 1977-8-10
Botswana, SOUTH EAST DIST.; CONTENT FARM; N. AREA OF FARM
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0788091-0 Collector(s) & number: Mauve, AA, 5053 | 1978-5-17
South Africa, Limpopo, Kransberg, N side of range on Geelhoutbos.
General notes: In dry mealielands. Corolla white, upper lip yellow and mauve. Det: O.M. Hilliard
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0484506-0 Collector(s) & number: Van Wyk, AE, 1715 | 1976-8-21
South Africa, North West, WOLMARANSSTAD; LEEUWFONTEIN; VAALBOS 2.5 ML. OP PAD NA MAKWASSIE
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0880504-0 Collector(s) & number: Bester, SP, 18120 | 2022-5-20
South Africa, Limpopo, Waterberg District. ca. 4 km SW of Modimolle enroute to Bela-Bela. Farm: Rhenosterpoort 455 KR. 24°43'47.72"S 28°22'31.40"E.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0139418-0 Collector(s) & number: Van der Merwe, FZ, 1961 | --
South Africa, Limpopo, PIETERSBURG; VREDERUST
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0139412-0 Collector(s) & number: Rogers, FA, 20745 | 1918-3-
South Africa, Limpopo, MESSINA
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0552867-0 Collector(s) & number: Michaelis, P, 57897 | 1967-8-28
South Africa, North West, RUSTENBURG
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0748179-0 Collector(s) & number: Wright, PRE 60176 | 1923-8-
South Africa, North West, KOEDOESPOORT
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0139423-0 Collector(s) & number: Schlieben, H-J E, 9619 | 1963-8-29
South Africa, Gauteng, PRETORIA DIST.; HAMMANSKRAAL 4.5 MI. E. OF HAMMANSKRAAL KLIPDRIF FARM
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0682462-0 Collector(s) & number: Jacobsen, NHG, 2978 | 1976-9-26
South Africa, Limpopo, NYLSVLEY NAT. RES.; GENTLE SLOPE. ALONG FIREBREAK NEAR DRAINAGE LINE.
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0541767-0 Collector(s) & number: Hansen, OJ, 3439 | 1978-8-22
Botswana, GABORONE
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0137185-0 Collector(s) & number: Gibbs, T, 2 | 1921-9-1
South Africa, North West, RUSTENBURG DIST.; NEAR SCHOOL
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0725869-0 Collector(s) & number: Plowes, DCH, 7090 | 1984-8-29
Botswana, GABORONE DIST.; KOLOBENG RIVER; 20 KM W. OF GABORONE
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0135733-0 Collector(s) & number: Smith, CA, 2270 | 1926-1-24
South Africa, Gauteng, WONDERBOOM
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0139428-0 Collector(s) & number: Schlechter, FRR, 4660 | 1894-3-11
South Africa, Limpopo, MAXABEN (MAGABENE)
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0139446-0 Collector(s) & number: Schlechter, FRR, 4660 | 1894-3-11
South Africa, Limpopo, MAXABEN (MAGABENE)
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0138484-0 Collector(s) & number: Leeman, AC, PRE 40674 | 1928-9-
South Africa, Gauteng, MAGALIESBERG; PRETORIA DIST.; WITFONTEIN
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
Barcode: PRE0731757-0 Collector(s) & number: Speedy, JG, 17/9 | 1988-7-10
South Africa, North West, VRYBURG DIST; ZOET VLEY FARM; HEAVIER SOILS TO S OF ZOET VLEI
Data Resource: BODATSA View record
This map contains point-based occurrences at different locations
1997
SERIES
Plants of the northern provinces of South Africa: Keys and diagnostic characters Retief, E; Herman, PPJStrelitzia 6: 1-681
National Botanical Institute, Pretoria
1994
1989
PERIODICAL/JOURNAL
New genera, species and combinations in Scrophulariaceae - Manuleae Hilliard, OMNotes from the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh 45(3)481-491
No results found for Melanospermum foliosum (Benth.) Hilliard
Status and criteria
NE
Assessor(s)
Plantae Coordinator
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Hammer, S. and Liede, S. 1991. Hybridisation in the Mesembs. Veld & Flora. 77:14-15
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Hammer, S. and Uijs, R. 1994. Lithops coleorum S.A.Hammer & R.Uijs sp. nov., a new species of Lithops N.E.Br. from the Northern Transvaal. Aloe. 31:36-38
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