| Synonyms: | |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Perennial herb with sub-erect to ascending stems up to 80 cm tall, rooting at the lower nodes. Leaves alternate, sheathing at the base, spreading, oblong, up to c. 10 × 2 cm; margin often purple or red. Flowers in the upper leaf axils, opening consecutively, sessile, piercing through the leaf-sheaths. Corolla subequally 3-lobed (see note below), violet-purple. Stamens 6; filaments bearded. |
| Type location: |
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| Notes: | The flowers are short-lived wilting by late morning. The flowers in the photos were already going over and misleadingly appear 2-lipped. |
| Derivation of specific name: | natalensis: of Natal, South Africa |
| Habitat: | In moist areas or sandy clearings in forest. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. |
| FZ divisions: | MS?,M? |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Images last updated: | Monday 27 February 2012 |
| Literature: |
Bandeira, S., Bolnick, D. & Barbosa, F. (2007). Wild Flowers of Southern Mozambique Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique Page 50. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 14. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 86. Obermeyer, A.A. & Faden, R.B. (1985). Commelinaceae Flora of Southern Africa 4(2) Pages 49 - 50. (Includes a picture). Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 340 - 341. (Includes a picture). |