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Melhania ovata (Cav.) Spreng. [family STERCULIACEAE]

Date Updated: 19 August 2007

Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora of Tropical East Africa
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of Tropical East Africa, page 1, Author: MARTIN CHEEK AND LAURENCE DORR
Names
Melhania ovata (Cav.) Spreng. [family STERCULIACEAE], Syst. Veg. 3: 32 (1826); K. Schum. in Engl., Hochgebirgsfl. Trop. Afr.: 303 (1892) & in P.O.A. C: 269 (1895) & in E.M. 5: 6–7, t. 1, fig. D (1900); F.W.T.A., ed. 2, 2(1): 318 (1958); U.K.W.F.: 191 (1974); Blundell, Wild Flow. E. Afr.: t. 288 (1987); U.K.W.F., ed. 2: 97 (1994); Vollesen in Fl. Eth. 2(2): 173, fig. 80.4/1 (1995); Thulin, Fl. Som. 2: 24 (1999). Type: Cult. “R. H. Matritense”[Madrid Bot. Gard.] ex seed from “prope Huanajuato in Nova-Hispania,” Sep. 1798, (MA, holo.) Although Cavanilles stated that the provenance of the seed for this specimen was Mexico (i.e., near Guanajuato), the species is confined to the Old World tropics and the seed probably originated in India Brotera ovata Cav. [family ], Icon. 5: 20, t. 433 (1799); McVaugh, Bot. Res. Sessé & Mociño Exped. 7: 518 (2000) Pentapetes ovata (Cav.) Willd. [family STERCULIACEAE], Enum. Pl.: 719 (1809) ?Melochia ovata Desf. [family ], Tabl. École Bot., ed. 2, 172 (1815) Melhania abyssinica A.Rich. [family STERCULIACEAE], Tent. Fl. Abyss. 1: 76 (1847) & Tent. Fl. Abyss., Atlas: t. 18 (1851?); Mast. in F.T.A. 1: 231–232 (1868, but as “ M. ovata ” in the key!); W.F.K.: 34 (1948) (“ Melhamia ”). Type: Ethiopia, Aderbati, Taccazé valley, Sep., Quartin-Dillon & Petit s.n. (P, holo.) Melhania oblongata Mast. [family STERCULIACEAE], in F.T.A. 1: 232. 1868, nom. nud., pro syn. Material cited: Ethiopia, near Dschadscha, Schimper 2108 (K!, S) Melhania ovata (A.Rich.) K.Schum. var. abyssinica [family STERCULIACEAE], in E.M. 5: 7–8 (1900) Melhania ovata K.Schum. var. oblongata [family STERCULIACEAE], in E.M. 5: 7 (1900). Types: Kenya, near Mombasa, Kirk s.n. (K, syn.) [and many additional syntypes from elsewhere in Africa; a number of which have been referred to other taxa of Melhania ] Melhania ovata K.Schum. var. montana [family STERCULIACEAE], in E.M. 5: 8 (1900); E.P.A.: 578 (1959). Type: Somalia, Serrût Mts near Meid, Hildebrandt 1377 (B†, holo.)
Information
Shrubby herb or suffrutescent subshrub, to 1 m tall (stems short and densely-branched at elevations above 1300 m in FTEA area); young stems canescent or greenish-tomentose, the hairs stellate or tufted, the arms ± appressed and tending to lie in the same direction, also with stellate hairs with reddish-brown centres on youngest parts, ± glabrescent in age. Leaves ovate to elliptic, 0.5–8.5 cm long, 0.6–4.4 cm wide (usually 0.5–1.2 cm long, 0.6–1 cm wide or smaller at elevations above 1300 m in FTEA area), apex rounded to emarginate, margin irregularly serrate to dentate, the larger leaves ± crenate, base rounded to somewhat cuneate, tomentose above, the hairs stellate, paler below and more densely stellate, with scattered stellate hairs with reddish-brown centres; palmately 3–5-nerved from the base; petiole 0.2–1.5 cm long, tomentose, the hairs long-armed stellate, with scattered stellate hairs with reddish-brown centres; stipules filiform to subulate, 2–9 mm long, often persisting. Inflorescences 2–3-flowered cymes, or flowers solitary; peduncle 0.5–4.5 cm long; pedicels 0.3–1.4 cm long (or sometimes smaller in plants from elevations above 1300 m in FTEA); both peduncle and pedicels tomentose when young, becoming ± glabrous in age; epicalyx bracts subulate to filiform, 3–13 mm long, ± 1 mm wide, greyish-green tomentose. Floral buds narrowly ovoid, the sepal tips confluent. Sepals narrowly ovate, 5–14 mm long, 2–3 mm wide, sometimes long apiculate, tomentose without, glabrous within except for tomentose apex. Petals obovate, slightly asymmetrical, 4–8 mm long, 4–6 mm wide, yellow, glabrous. Staminal tube 1–2 mm long, free portion of filaments 1–2 mm long, anthers 1.5–2 mm long, free portion of staminodes 3–6 mm long, glabrous. Ovary ovoid, 2–3 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, velutinous; 6 ovules per locule; style 0.5–2(–3) mm long; stigma lobes 0.5–1(–2) mm long, recurved. Capsules ovoid, 5–9 mm long, 5–8 mm in diameter, often with a slight apical rostrum, tomentose, 3–4(–5) seeds per locule; seed trigonal, with two flattened and one rounded side, ± 2 mm long, ± 1.5 mm wide, testa moderately tuberculate, without an elaiosome.
Range
DISTR. U 2; K 1, 3, 4, 6, 7; T 1–3, 5
Altitude range
500–1900 m
Distribution
KENYA Northern Frontier District Furrole, 14 Sep. 1952, Gillett 13873!KENYA Laikipia District 30 km N of Rumuruti, 7 Nov. 1978, Hepper & Jaeger 6648!KENYA Nairobi National Park, Feb. 1963, Williams Sangai 775!TANZANIA Musoma District Serengeti National Park, Naabi Entrance, 26 May 1962, Greenway 10331!TANZANIA Masai/Mbulu District Ngorongoro crater floor, East, Apr. 1941, Bally B 2410! & Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Olduvai, 2 June 1977, Raynal 19358!UGANDA Bunyoro District Bugungu Hill, 6 Jan. 1922, Dummer 5520!
Distribution (external)
Cape Verde Islands Senegal Mauritania southern Sudan (fide Blundell) Eritrea Ethiopia, Somalia Arabia India, Australia
Notes
CONSERVATION This species appears to be widespread and common, and its habitat not significantly threatened as far as is known. It is rated here as of “least concern” for conservation.  At elevations above 1300 m or so, members of this species become dwarfed in stature, more densely branched, and have smaller leaves. The syndrome corresponds in general to what Schumann described as M. ovata var. montana (although the position of epicalyx bracts does not seem to be taxonomically significant). Varietal status is not accorded to these plants here because the suite of characters seems to be environmentally rather than genetically induced. M. ovata is easily recognized by its subulate or linear epicalyx bracts that are always narrower and usually shorter than the sepals. The greyish-green tomentum is also characteristic. Schumann mentioned longistylous and brevistylous flowers in his species description implying that there are two different floral morphs in the species. A floral dimorphism has not been observed in M. ovata, although the collection by Faden (Faden 7/456) is unusual in its very long style (to 3 mm) and stigmas (to 2 mm). Verdoorn (in Bothalia 13: 268 (1981)) d that M. polygama I.Verd., known only from Natal, has “polygamous” flowers; the male flowers with longer petals than the female flowers.

Date Updated: 19 August 2007

Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora of Tropical East Africa
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of Tropical East Africa, page 1, Author: MARTIN CHEEK AND LAURENCE DORR
Names
Melhania ovata (Cav.) Spreng. [family STERCULIACEAE], Syst. Veg. 3: 32 (1826); K. Schum. in Engl., Hochgebirgsfl. Trop. Afr.: 303 (1892) & in P.O.A. C: 269 (1895) & in E.M. 5: 6–7, t. 1, fig. D (1900); F.W.T.A., ed. 2, 2(1): 318 (1958); U.K.W.F.: 191 (1974); Blundell, Wild Flow. E. Afr.: t. 288 (1987); U.K.W.F., ed. 2: 97 (1994); Vollesen in Fl. Eth. 2(2): 173, fig. 80.4/1 (1995); Thulin, Fl. Som. 2: 24 (1999). Type: Cult. “R. H. Matritense”[Madrid Bot. Gard.] ex seed from “prope Huanajuato in Nova-Hispania,” Sep. 1798, (MA, holo.) Although Cavanilles stated that the provenance of the seed for this specimen was Mexico (i.e., near Guanajuato), the species is confined to the Old World tropics and the seed probably originated in India Brotera ovata Cav. [family ], Icon. 5: 20, t. 433 (1799); McVaugh, Bot. Res. Sessé & Mociño Exped. 7: 518 (2000) Pentapetes ovata (Cav.) Willd. [family STERCULIACEAE], Enum. Pl.: 719 (1809) ?Melochia ovata Desf. [family ], Tabl. École Bot., ed. 2, 172 (1815) Melhania abyssinica A.Rich. [family STERCULIACEAE], Tent. Fl. Abyss. 1: 76 (1847) & Tent. Fl. Abyss., Atlas: t. 18 (1851?); Mast. in F.T.A. 1: 231–232 (1868, but as “ M. ovata ” in the key!); W.F.K.: 34 (1948) (“ Melhamia ”). Type: Ethiopia, Aderbati, Taccazé valley, Sep., Quartin-Dillon & Petit s.n. (P, holo.) Melhania oblongata Mast. [family STERCULIACEAE], in F.T.A. 1: 232. 1868, nom. nud., pro syn. Material cited: Ethiopia, near Dschadscha, Schimper 2108 (K!, S) Melhania ovata (A.Rich.) K.Schum. var. abyssinica [family STERCULIACEAE], in E.M. 5: 7–8 (1900) Melhania ovata K.Schum. var. oblongata [family STERCULIACEAE], in E.M. 5: 7 (1900). Types: Kenya, near Mombasa, Kirk s.n. (K, syn.) [and many additional syntypes from elsewhere in Africa; a number of which have been referred to other taxa of Melhania ] Melhania ovata K.Schum. var. montana [family STERCULIACEAE], in E.M. 5: 8 (1900); E.P.A.: 578 (1959). Type: Somalia, Serrût Mts near Meid, Hildebrandt 1377 (B†, holo.)
Information
Shrubby herb or suffrutescent subshrub, to 1 m tall (stems short and densely-branched at elevations above 1300 m in FTEA area); young stems canescent or greenish-tomentose, the hairs stellate or tufted, the arms ± appressed and tending to lie in the same direction, also with stellate hairs with reddish-brown centres on youngest parts, ± glabrescent in age. Leaves ovate to elliptic, 0.5–8.5 cm long, 0.6–4.4 cm wide (usually 0.5–1.2 cm long, 0.6–1 cm wide or smaller at elevations above 1300 m in FTEA area), apex rounded to emarginate, margin irregularly serrate to dentate, the larger leaves ± crenate, base rounded to somewhat cuneate, tomentose above, the hairs stellate, paler below and more densely stellate, with scattered stellate hairs with reddish-brown centres; palmately 3–5-nerved from the base; petiole 0.2–1.5 cm long, tomentose, the hairs long-armed stellate, with scattered stellate hairs with reddish-brown centres; stipules filiform to subulate, 2–9 mm long, often persisting. Inflorescences 2–3-flowered cymes, or flowers solitary; peduncle 0.5–4.5 cm long; pedicels 0.3–1.4 cm long (or sometimes smaller in plants from elevations above 1300 m in FTEA); both peduncle and pedicels tomentose when young, becoming ± glabrous in age; epicalyx bracts subulate to filiform, 3–13 mm long, ± 1 mm wide, greyish-green tomentose. Floral buds narrowly ovoid, the sepal tips confluent. Sepals narrowly ovate, 5–14 mm long, 2–3 mm wide, sometimes long apiculate, tomentose without, glabrous within except for tomentose apex. Petals obovate, slightly asymmetrical, 4–8 mm long, 4–6 mm wide, yellow, glabrous. Staminal tube 1–2 mm long, free portion of filaments 1–2 mm long, anthers 1.5–2 mm long, free portion of staminodes 3–6 mm long, glabrous. Ovary ovoid, 2–3 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, velutinous; 6 ovules per locule; style 0.5–2(–3) mm long; stigma lobes 0.5–1(–2) mm long, recurved. Capsules ovoid, 5–9 mm long, 5–8 mm in diameter, often with a slight apical rostrum, tomentose, 3–4(–5) seeds per locule; seed trigonal, with two flattened and one rounded side, ± 2 mm long, ± 1.5 mm wide, testa moderately tuberculate, without an elaiosome.
Range
DISTR. U 2; K 1, 3, 4, 6, 7; T 1–3, 5
Altitude range
500–1900 m
Distribution
KENYA Northern Frontier District Furrole, 14 Sep. 1952, Gillett 13873!KENYA Laikipia District 30 km N of Rumuruti, 7 Nov. 1978, Hepper & Jaeger 6648!KENYA Nairobi National Park, Feb. 1963, Williams Sangai 775!TANZANIA Musoma District Serengeti National Park, Naabi Entrance, 26 May 1962, Greenway 10331!TANZANIA Masai/Mbulu District Ngorongoro crater floor, East, Apr. 1941, Bally B 2410! & Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Olduvai, 2 June 1977, Raynal 19358!UGANDA Bunyoro District Bugungu Hill, 6 Jan. 1922, Dummer 5520!
Distribution (external)
Cape Verde Islands Senegal Mauritania southern Sudan (fide Blundell) Eritrea Ethiopia, Somalia Arabia India, Australia
Notes
CONSERVATION This species appears to be widespread and common, and its habitat not significantly threatened as far as is known. It is rated here as of “least concern” for conservation.  At elevations above 1300 m or so, members of this species become dwarfed in stature, more densely branched, and have smaller leaves. The syndrome corresponds in general to what Schumann described as M. ovata var. montana (although the position of epicalyx bracts does not seem to be taxonomically significant). Varietal status is not accorded to these plants here because the suite of characters seems to be environmentally rather than genetically induced. M. ovata is easily recognized by its subulate or linear epicalyx bracts that are always narrower and usually shorter than the sepals. The greyish-green tomentum is also characteristic. Schumann mentioned longistylous and brevistylous flowers in his species description implying that there are two different floral morphs in the species. A floral dimorphism has not been observed in M. ovata, although the collection by Faden (Faden 7/456) is unusual in its very long style (to 3 mm) and stigmas (to 2 mm). Verdoorn (in Bothalia 13: 268 (1981)) d that M. polygama I.Verd., known only from Natal, has “polygamous” flowers; the male flowers with longer petals than the female flowers.

Date Updated: 19 August 2007

Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora of Tropical East Africa
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of Tropical East Africa, page 1, Author: MARTIN CHEEK AND LAURENCE DORR
Names
Melhania ovata (Cav.) Spreng. [family STERCULIACEAE], Syst. Veg. 3: 32 (1826); K. Schum. in Engl., Hochgebirgsfl. Trop. Afr.: 303 (1892) & in P.O.A. C: 269 (1895) & in E.M. 5: 6–7, t. 1, fig. D (1900); F.W.T.A., ed. 2, 2(1): 318 (1958); U.K.W.F.: 191 (1974); Blundell, Wild Flow. E. Afr.: t. 288 (1987); U.K.W.F., ed. 2: 97 (1994); Vollesen in Fl. Eth. 2(2): 173, fig. 80.4/1 (1995); Thulin, Fl. Som. 2: 24 (1999). Type: Cult. “R. H. Matritense”[Madrid Bot. Gard.] ex seed from “prope Huanajuato in Nova-Hispania,” Sep. 1798, (MA, holo.) Although Cavanilles stated that the provenance of the seed for this specimen was Mexico (i.e., near Guanajuato), the species is confined to the Old World tropics and the seed probably originated in India Brotera ovata Cav. [family ], Icon. 5: 20, t. 433 (1799); McVaugh, Bot. Res. Sessé & Mociño Exped. 7: 518 (2000) Pentapetes ovata (Cav.) Willd. [family STERCULIACEAE], Enum. Pl.: 719 (1809) ?Melochia ovata Desf. [family ], Tabl. École Bot., ed. 2, 172 (1815) Melhania abyssinica A.Rich. [family STERCULIACEAE], Tent. Fl. Abyss. 1: 76 (1847) & Tent. Fl. Abyss., Atlas: t. 18 (1851?); Mast. in F.T.A. 1: 231–232 (1868, but as “ M. ovata ” in the key!); W.F.K.: 34 (1948) (“ Melhamia ”). Type: Ethiopia, Aderbati, Taccazé valley, Sep., Quartin-Dillon & Petit s.n. (P, holo.) Melhania oblongata Mast. [family STERCULIACEAE], in F.T.A. 1: 232. 1868, nom. nud., pro syn. Material cited: Ethiopia, near Dschadscha, Schimper 2108 (K!, S) Melhania ovata (A.Rich.) K.Schum. var. abyssinica [family STERCULIACEAE], in E.M. 5: 7–8 (1900) Melhania ovata K.Schum. var. oblongata [family STERCULIACEAE], in E.M. 5: 7 (1900). Types: Kenya, near Mombasa, Kirk s.n. (K, syn.) [and many additional syntypes from elsewhere in Africa; a number of which have been referred to other taxa of Melhania ] Melhania ovata K.Schum. var. montana [family STERCULIACEAE], in E.M. 5: 8 (1900); E.P.A.: 578 (1959). Type: Somalia, Serrût Mts near Meid, Hildebrandt 1377 (B†, holo.)
Information
Shrubby herb or suffrutescent subshrub, to 1 m tall (stems short and densely-branched at elevations above 1300 m in FTEA area); young stems canescent or greenish-tomentose, the hairs stellate or tufted, the arms ± appressed and tending to lie in the same direction, also with stellate hairs with reddish-brown centres on youngest parts, ± glabrescent in age. Leaves ovate to elliptic, 0.5–8.5 cm long, 0.6–4.4 cm wide (usually 0.5–1.2 cm long, 0.6–1 cm wide or smaller at elevations above 1300 m in FTEA area), apex rounded to emarginate, margin irregularly serrate to dentate, the larger leaves ± crenate, base rounded to somewhat cuneate, tomentose above, the hairs stellate, paler below and more densely stellate, with scattered stellate hairs with reddish-brown centres; palmately 3–5-nerved from the base; petiole 0.2–1.5 cm long, tomentose, the hairs long-armed stellate, with scattered stellate hairs with reddish-brown centres; stipules filiform to subulate, 2–9 mm long, often persisting. Inflorescences 2–3-flowered cymes, or flowers solitary; peduncle 0.5–4.5 cm long; pedicels 0.3–1.4 cm long (or sometimes smaller in plants from elevations above 1300 m in FTEA); both peduncle and pedicels tomentose when young, becoming ± glabrous in age; epicalyx bracts subulate to filiform, 3–13 mm long, ± 1 mm wide, greyish-green tomentose. Floral buds narrowly ovoid, the sepal tips confluent. Sepals narrowly ovate, 5–14 mm long, 2–3 mm wide, sometimes long apiculate, tomentose without, glabrous within except for tomentose apex. Petals obovate, slightly asymmetrical, 4–8 mm long, 4–6 mm wide, yellow, glabrous. Staminal tube 1–2 mm long, free portion of filaments 1–2 mm long, anthers 1.5–2 mm long, free portion of staminodes 3–6 mm long, glabrous. Ovary ovoid, 2–3 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, velutinous; 6 ovules per locule; style 0.5–2(–3) mm long; stigma lobes 0.5–1(–2) mm long, recurved. Capsules ovoid, 5–9 mm long, 5–8 mm in diameter, often with a slight apical rostrum, tomentose, 3–4(–5) seeds per locule; seed trigonal, with two flattened and one rounded side, ± 2 mm long, ± 1.5 mm wide, testa moderately tuberculate, without an elaiosome.
Range
DISTR. U 2; K 1, 3, 4, 6, 7; T 1–3, 5
Altitude range
500–1900 m
Distribution
KENYA Northern Frontier District Furrole, 14 Sep. 1952, Gillett 13873!KENYA Laikipia District 30 km N of Rumuruti, 7 Nov. 1978, Hepper & Jaeger 6648!KENYA Nairobi National Park, Feb. 1963, Williams Sangai 775!TANZANIA Musoma District Serengeti National Park, Naabi Entrance, 26 May 1962, Greenway 10331!TANZANIA Masai/Mbulu District Ngorongoro crater floor, East, Apr. 1941, Bally B 2410! & Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Olduvai, 2 June 1977, Raynal 19358!UGANDA Bunyoro District Bugungu Hill, 6 Jan. 1922, Dummer 5520!
Distribution (external)
Cape Verde Islands Senegal Mauritania southern Sudan (fide Blundell) Eritrea Ethiopia, Somalia Arabia India, Australia
Notes
CONSERVATION This species appears to be widespread and common, and its habitat not significantly threatened as far as is known. It is rated here as of “least concern” for conservation.  At elevations above 1300 m or so, members of this species become dwarfed in stature, more densely branched, and have smaller leaves. The syndrome corresponds in general to what Schumann described as M. ovata var. montana (although the position of epicalyx bracts does not seem to be taxonomically significant). Varietal status is not accorded to these plants here because the suite of characters seems to be environmentally rather than genetically induced. M. ovata is easily recognized by its subulate or linear epicalyx bracts that are always narrower and usually shorter than the sepals. The greyish-green tomentum is also characteristic. Schumann mentioned longistylous and brevistylous flowers in his species description implying that there are two different floral morphs in the species. A floral dimorphism has not been observed in M. ovata, although the collection by Faden (Faden 7/456) is unusual in its very long style (to 3 mm) and stigmas (to 2 mm). Verdoorn (in Bothalia 13: 268 (1981)) d that M. polygama I.Verd., known only from Natal, has “polygamous” flowers; the male flowers with longer petals than the female flowers.
Melhania ovata (Cav.) Spreng. [family STERCULIACEAE]
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