Nenax microphylla (Sond.) T.M.Salter

Species

Angiosperms > Gentianales > Rubiaceae > Nenax

Characteristics

Dwarf shrub, rounded to ± cylindrical, intricately branched, c. 0.1-0.3(-0.4) m tall and c. 0.1-0.7 m in diam.; lower, cushion-to ± mat-forming if browsed. Stems ascending or erect, often ± spine-tipped if browsed; sometimes arching downward or ± prostrate, occasionally rooting at nodes and producing new plantlets. Leaves decussate, often pseudo-verticillate; blades (1.5-)2-4(-5.4) x 0.7-1.2 mm, (broadly) ovate to ± elliptic (often longer, to 7 mm, and ± linear-lanceolate or lanceolate on new growth), frequently recurved, glabrous or sometimes margins ± papillate. Flowers in clusters of 2(seldom 4-6) at nodes, inflorescences often ± conspicuous in fruiting ('female'); corolla 4-merous, pale yellow to greenish yellow, sometimes reddish (purplish) tinged outside ('male'): tube 0.5-0.7 mm long, broadly funnel-shaped, lobes 1.5-2.2 x 0.6-0.8 mm; anthers 1.2-1.9 mm long ('female') calyx lobes. Fruit inflated, (sub) globose or ± ellipsoidal, dehiscent, not supported by a distinct carpophore, c. 1.7-3.2 mm in diam (bright) reddish brown or reddish, glabrescent or papillate, with 4 ± triangular calyx lobes c. 0.3-0.4 x 0.2-0.3 mm.
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Dwarf shrub, 0.1-0.3 m high; dioecious; ± rounded, woody, many-stemmed, intricately branched. Leaves decussate or pseudo-verticillate, small, ± elliptic to needle-like, glabrous, margins ± papillate. Inflorescences few-flowered, reduced. Flowers in clusters of 2. Male flowers small; corolla tube short, funnel-shaped; lobes recurved, ± lanceolate; anthers yellowish to whitish, exserted. Female flowers: corolla much smaller than male flowers. Ovary 2-locular; stigmas 2, long-exserted, hairy, often purplish red. Flowering time Oct.-Feb. Fruit inflated, ± 1.7-3.2 mm in diam., subglobose to ± ellipsoidal, crowned by 4 persistent calyx lobes.
Dwarf shrub, rounded to ± cylindrical, cushion-to mat-forming if browsed, 100-300(-400) mm high. Leaves decussate; blade ovate to ± elliptic, ± linear-lanceolate or lanceolate in new growth, (1.5-)2.0-4.0(-5.4) x 0.7-1.2 mm, glabrous or sometimes with papillose margins. Flowers: in axillary clusters of 2(-6); corolla tube up to 0.7 mm long, lobes up to 2.2 mm long; corolla pale yellow to greenish yellow, sometimes reddish purplish tinged outside; Oct.-Feb. Fruit inflated, subglobose to ± ellipsoidal, dehiscent, 1.7-3.2 mm in diameter, glabrescent or papillose.
Life form -
Growth form shrub
Growth support free-standing
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Sexuality
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Mature width (meter) -
Mature height (meter) 0.1 - 0.3
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Environment

Light -
Soil humidity 1-3
Soil texture 6-7
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Hardiness (USDA) -

Usage

Uses medicinal
Edible -
Therapeutic use -
Human toxicity -
Animal toxicity -

Cultivation

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Distribution

Nenax microphylla world distribution map, present in Lesotho and South Africa

Identifiers

LSID urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:757341-1
WFO ID wfo-0000249892
COL ID 7477N
BDTFX ID -
INPN ID -
Wikipedia (EN)
Wikipedia (FR)

Synonyms

Nenax microphylla Ambraria microphylla