Entry From
Flora of South Africa, (2003) Author: Dr J.P. Roux
Common names
Aneilema aequinoctiale (P. Beauv.) Loudon var. kirkii C. B. CI. in A. DC, Monogr. Phan. 3: 222 (1881). Syn-types: Mozambique: Chupanga (Shupanga), in damp spots, 10 January 1863, Kirk s.n. (K!, lectotype of BreÂnan, I.e., 193); same locality, January 1859, Kirk s.n. (K!); Near Sena (Senna), 3 January 1860, Kirk s.n. (K!). Aneilema aequinoctiale auct. p. p., e.g. Schinz in Bull. Herb. Boissier 4, App. 3: 36 (1896), p. p.; C. B. CI. in F.C. 7: 12 (1897), p. p., and in F.T.A. 8: 65 (1901), p. p.; Van Druten in Flow. PI. Afr. 33: 1302 (1959), non (P. Beauv.) Loudon (1830). Aneilema wildii Merxm. in Suessenguth & Merxmiiller, Trans. Rhod. Sci. Assoc. 43: 152 (1951). Type: ZimÂbabwe: Marandellas, 14 January 1941, Dehn 251 (M!).
Habitat
The large, bluish purple flowers (variously described as blue, mauve, lavender, etc.) readily distinguish this species. The capsules are generally longer, less pubescent (commonly nearly glabrous) and have more seeds per locule than those of A. aequinoctiale (no. 3). Typically the capsules are emarginate and lack a terminal apicule (the persistent style base), unlike the capsules of A. aequinocÂtiale.
Use
1. Aneilema hockii De Wild, in Feddes Reprium 12: 290 (1913); Brenan in Kew Bull. 7: 190 (1952); Schreiber et al. in F.S.W.A. 157: 2 (1967); Faden in Agnew, Upland Kenya Wild Flow. 664 (1974). Type: Zaire: Upper Katanga, Elisabethville, 1911, Hock s.n. (BR!).
Range
South West Africa/Namibia, Botswana, Transvaal and Swaziland and north to Zaire, Uganda and southern Ethiopia; c. 640-1 280 m altitude (in our area); woodland and bushland, often on rocky slopes; growing in partial shade. Map 33.