Entry From
Flora of South Africa, (2003) Author: Dr J.P. Roux
Information
Erect, branching, somewhat woody herb, 30-70(-100) cm tall. Stems striate, glandular-pubescent. Leaves aromatic, 3-7(-9)-foliolate, petiolate; petioles up to 7 cm long, glandular-pubescent; leaflets narrowly elliptic to spathu-late, obovate-oblanceolate or obovate, 0-5-3-3 cm long, 3-10 mm broad, becoming smaller upwards and gradually merging into the bracts, glandular-pubescent on both surfaces, rarely subglabrous, apex subacute to rounded, base cuneate. Inflorescence a termiÂnal raceme; bracts similar to the leaves but smaller, subsessile, rarely simple towards the apex; pedicels up to 7—17 mm long, glanduÂlar-pubescent. Sepals narrowly lanceolate, 4-6(-10) mm long, acuminate, glandular-pubescent. Petals obovate to obovate-oblanÂceolate, 0-9-l-5(-2) cm long, 5-9(-ll) mm broad, rose-pink to purple, the two upper with a pale yellow area towards the base, rounded at the apex, cuneate at the base, often with a very short claw 1-2 mm long. Stamens 8-24; filaments slender, glabrous, the lower 4-6 longer and thicker than the remainder and with larger anthers, the longer equalling or exceeding the petals; anthers 2-3(-5) mm long. Ovary linear, about 1 mm long, on a very short gynophore, glandular-pubescent; style very short; stigma subcapitate. Capsule narrowly linear, 5-12 cm long, 3-4 mm broad, usually slightly curved, spreading; gynophore 1-7 mm long; valves glandular-pubescent with 8-9 longitudinal nerves on each valve; style 3-9 mm long. Seeds brown to dark brown, almost circular, about 2 mm in diameter, transversely ridged.
Use
9. Cleome oxyphylla Burch., Trav. 2 : 226 (1824). Type : Cape, Griquatown, Burchell 1887 (BM, holo.!;K!).