Synonyms: | |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | Known only from the above specimen |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Erect perennial herb up to c. 55 cm tall. Inflorescences of erect, pedunculate, bracteose, 1-sided spikes in the upper leaf axils. Bracts pale whitish green with darker green marginal area, ovate, 5-veined from the base, pubescent. Corolla 2-lipped; upper lip broadly ovate erect, slightly forming an open hood, greenish white, pubescent on the outside; lower lip 3-lobed, white with purple spotting in the throat and on the midlobe. |
Type location: |
Mt Gorongosa, Mozambique t |
Notes: | The specimen in the photographs was collected by John and Sandie Burrows (9902, BNRH) and sent to Kai Vollesen and Iain Darbyshire at KEW. It represents a new species close to the East African species Justicia engleriana Lindau. It is as yet undescribed and has been treated as “sp. A” in Flora Zambesiaca Vol. 8-6: 187-188 (2015), with more material including fruits needed. The species is so far only known from this specimen from Mt Gorongosa but is possibly matched by a sterile specimen from Mt Namuli. |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Habitat: | In understorey of evergreen forest |
Altitude range: (metres) | 1150 m (approx) |
Flowering time: | Feb - Mar |
Worldwide distribution: | Mozambique |
FZ divisions: | Z?,MS |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | Endemic |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Wednesday 30 May 2012 |
Literature: |
Darbyshire, I., Vollesen, K. & Kelbessa, E. (2015). Acanthaceae (Part 2) Flora Zambesiaca 8(6) Pages 187 - 188. |