Synonyms: |
Carpodinus camptoloba K.Schum. Carpodinus gracilis Stapf Carpodinus leucantha K.Schum. Clitandra gracilis Hallier f. |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | Common |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Scrambling shrub or climber up to 3 m high. Tendrils commonly present. Young shoots hairless or hispidulous. Leaves ovate, oblong or narrowly elliptic, 4·5-6·8 cm long, tapering at apex to a long distinct acumen, base rounded to acute, membranous or thinly leathery, not strongly discolorous, glossy and hairless on the upper surface, midrib raised or level, secondary and tertiary veins faintly raised or impressed to give a finely “cracked” appearance; lower surface completely hairless or with the midrib hispidulous, a similar indumentum often found also near the base of the lamina, midrib raised, lateral and tertiary veins raised or impressed; petiole 2-5 mm long, hairless or hispidulous. Flowers white, scented, in lax terminal 1 to 4-flowered cymes with axes hairless or hispidulous. Calyx 2-3 mm long, lobes united at base, ovate-acuminate, ciliate, dorsally glabrous or puberulent. Corolla tube 15-18 mm long, slender, swollen near apex at level of stamens, hairless, not constricted at the mouth; corolla lobes more or less equalling tube, narrowly linear, hairless. Fruit globose, c. 2 cm in diameter, yellow or orange with spots when ripe, edible. |
Type location: |
DR Congo |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Habitat: | In Brachystegia and Cryptosepalum woodland, usually on Kalahari sand. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 300 - 1550 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Gabon, Congo-Brazzaville, DR Congo, Zambia and Angola. |
Botanical divisions: | III,IV,V,VI,IX |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Wednesday 25 June 2025 |
Literature: |
Beentje, H. (2021). Apocynaceae, sous-familes I. Apocynoideae et II. Rauvolfioideae Flore d' Afrique Centrale Jardin botanique de Meise Pages 64 - 66. (Includes a picture). Leeuwenberg, A.J.M. & Kupicha, F.K. et al. (1985). Apocynaceae Flora Zambesiaca 7(2) Pages 410 - 411. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 25. |