Compilation
Phaeoptilum spinosum

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Name

Identification
Amphoranthus spinosus S.Moore [family NYCTAGINACEAE ] Phaeoptilum spinosum Radlk. [family NYCTAGINACEAE ] (stored under name);
Related name
  • Amaranthus spinosus
  • Phaeoptilum spinosum
  • Amphoranthus spinosus

Flora

Entry for Phaeoptilum spinosum Radlk. [family NYCTAGINACEAE]
Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora Zambesiaca
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
FZ, Vol 9, Part 1, page 12, (1988) Author: B. L. Stannard
Names
Phaeoptilum spinosum Radlk. [family NYCTAGINACEAE], in Abh. Naturwiss. Ver. Bremen 8: 436 (1883).—Heimerl in Engl. & Prantl, Pflanzenfam. 3, Ib: 28 (1889); ed. 2, 16 C: 123–124, fig. 59 (1934).—Heimerl in Bull. Herb. Boiss. 5, append. 3: 68 (1897). —Baker & C.H. Wright in F.T.A. 6, 1: 9 (1909). —Cooke in Fl. Cap. 5, 1: 397 (1910). —Pohnert & A. Schreiber in Merxm., Prodr. Fl. SW. Afr. 25: 6–7 (1969). TAB. 6. Type from S. Africa.
Nachtigalia protectoratus Schinz ex Engl. [family NYCTAGINACEAE], Bot. Jahrb. 19: 133 (1894) nom. nud. in syn.
Phaeoptilum heimerlii Engl. [family NYCTAGINACEAE], Bot. Jahrb. 19: 133 (1894). Type from S. Africa.
Amphoranthus spinosus S. Moore [family NYCTAGINACEAE], in Journ. Bot. 40: 305, 408, fig. 441A (1902). Type from Namibia.
Information
Shrub up to 3 m. tall. Branches terminating in spines with crowded, alternate, spine-like lateral branches. Bark greyish yellow to greyish brown. Leaves greyish green, 5–35 × 1–4 mm., linear-cuneiform, coriaceous, apex rounded or emarginate, glabrous to crisped pubescent. Flowers creamy yellow, scented. Perianth 6–8 mm. long, densely crisped pubescent to tomentose on outside; lobes rounded to (in female flowers) triangular, slightly cucullate, curling inwards as anthocarp develops. Stamens usually 4 longer, 6–12.5 mm. long and 4 shorter, 4–10 mm. long; filaments filiform; anthers 0.5–2 mm. long. Ovary 1.5–3.5 mm. long, fusiform-elliptic; style 1.5–3.5 mm. long; stigma multifid; ovule attached to one side of base of ovary. Anthocarp 15–25 × 12–20 mm. (incl. wings), pubescent to glabrescent, yellowish-green turning pink, red or purple with age; wings more or less semi-circular, parchment-like; central portion fusiform; fruit 7–8 × 2.5–3 mm., oblong-elliptic in outline, square in cross section, remains of reduced stamens around base; seed more or less filling fruit cavity.
Habitat
On rocky, gravelly and sandy soils, often near dry river courses, reported as being valued as a fodder plant
Altitude range
840–1300 m.
1300
840
Distribution
Botswana SE near Mahalapye Village, fl. & fr. 9.U.64, Yalala 459 (K; PRE; SRGH).Botswana SW Mamuno Airstrip, 1067 m., fr. 13.ii.1970, Brown 21 (SRGH).
Distribution (external)
Southern Africa

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