Suffrutescent perennial, 0.6–1 m tall, much-branched with opposite leaves and branches, young branches whitish-tomentose, older branches glabrescent, terete, striate. Leaves subrotund to broadly ovate or ± reniform, c. 0.9–2.5 x 1.1–3.5 cm, ± densely furnished with ± appressed whitish hairs, densest on the principal venation of the lower surface, obtuse to apiculate, truncate to subcordate at the base, distinctly if shortly petiolate. Inflorescences to c. 14 cm long, axis whitish- or greyish-tomentose. Partial inflorescences with 3–5 fertile flowers. Tepals narrowly oblong-lanceolate, 8–10.5 mm, densely furnished dorsally with lanuginose greyish-white hairs, 3-nerved, the inner slightly shorter. Filaments filiform throughout, abruptly expanded only at the point of insertion. Style 3–4 mm. Capsule ovoid, 3–3.5 mm. Sterile flowers with glabrous, stramineous to reddish-brown bristles c. 10–12 mm long.
Range
N3
Altitude range
850 m.
Distribution
SOMALIA Thulin & Warfa 6163.
Distribution (external)
Kenya
Tanzania
Notes
Although considerably disjunct from the main area of the species, it does not seem possible to separate the Somali plant from that found in Kenya and Tanzania. The large perianth, filiform filaments and glabrous bristles of the fruiting partial inflorescences in combination are quite diagnostic, and no character has been found to give even infraspecific status.
