Glabrous. Stem internodes slightly 2-edged when young. Leaves opposite, sessile, those of each pair fused at the margins in the lower 1.5-2 cm into a sheath which completely encircles the stem and encloses the inflorescences; lamina ovate, c. 10 cm long, c. 6 cm wide, rounded or obtuse at the apex, slightly lustrous above, dull below; venation pinnate, distinct on both sides. Inflorescences few at the nodes, apparently arising through a periderm layer which remains as a basal involucre, a subsessile head of a few pairs of triads or dyads; peduncles of the triads or dyads obscure but reaching c. 1 mm in fruit; pedicels of the flowers obscure but reaching c. 1.5 mm in fruit. Corolla not seen mature, pale pinkish yellow. Fig. 16b-d.
Home