Uvariastrum hexaloboides
Uvariastrum hexaloboides is a species of plant in the Annonaceae family. It is native to Tanzania, Zambia and Zaire.[2] Robert Elias Fries, the botanist who first formally described the species using the basionym Uvaria hexaloboides, named it after a different species Hexalobus monopetalus which he thought its flowers and vegetative parts resembled.[3]
Uvariastrum hexaloboides | |
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Scientific illustration of Uvariastrum hexaloboides | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Magnoliids |
Order: | Magnoliales |
Family: | Annonaceae |
Genus: | Uvariastrum |
Species: | U. hexaloboides |
Binomial name | |
Uvariastrum hexaloboides | |
Synonyms | |
Uvaria hexaloboides R.E.Fr. |
Description
It is a tree reaching 15 meters in height. The young, brown branches are densely hairy, but become hairless and dark brown with maturity. Its narrowly elliptical to egg-shaped, leathery leaves are 6-13 by 2.4-5 centimeters. The leaves have wedge-shaped to rounded bases and tapering tips, with the tapering portion 1-2 centimeters long. The tips of the leaves have a shallow notch. The leaves are hairless on their dark green upper surface and sparsely hairy on their lighter green lower surfaces. The leaves have 9-14 pairs of secondary veins emanating from their midribs. Its petioles are 0.1-0.3 millimeters long, and covered in dense red-brown hairs, with a broad groove on their upper side. Its solitary or paired Inflorescences occur on branches and sometimes the trunk. Each inflorescence has 1 flower. Each flower is on a densely hairy pedicel that is 0.5-6 by 1-2 millimeters. The pedicels have 1-2 oval, basal bracts that are 2-7 by 3-6 millimeters and densely hairy. Its flowers have 3 oval sepals that are 0.9-1.5 by 0.7 by 1.8 centimeters. The sepals are densely hairy on both surfaces, and hairier at their margins which are slightly folded. Its 6 petals are arranged in two rows of 3. The yellow to green-yellow, elliptical, outer petals are 2–3.5 by 1-1.4 centimeters with densely hairy upper and lower surfaces. The yellow to green-yellow, oval inner petals are 1–2.5 by 0.8-1.5 centimeters with densely hairy upper and lower surfaces. The flowers have numerous stamens that are 3 by 0.5 millimeters. The flowers have up to 10-14 carpels that are 3 millimeters long, and densely hairy. The carpels have bilobed stigma. The fruit occur in clusters of 1–5 on sparsely hairy pedicles that are 0.5-2 by 2-5 centimeters. The red, hairless, oblong fruit are 2.5-6 by 2-2.5 centimeters. Each fruit has up to 6-10 dark brown, elliptical seeds that are 15-20 by 8-12 by 6-8 millimeters.[4]
Reproductive biology
The pollen of Uvariastrum hexaloboides is shed as permanent tetrads.[5]
Distribution and habitat
It has been observed growing rocky or red sandy loam soil in woodlands at altitudes between 1000 and 1600 meters.[4]
Uses
It has been described as being used as a source of edible fruit in Zambia.[6]
References
- Cosiaux, A.; Couvreur, T.L.P.; Erkens, R.H.J. (2019). "Uvariastrum hexaloboides". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T133044791A133044996. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T133044791A133044996.en. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- "Uvariastrum hexaloboides (R.E.Fr.) R.E.Fr. ex N.Robson". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
- Fries, Robert Elias (1914). Botanische Untersuchungen [Botanical Investigations] (in German and Latin). Vol. 1. Stockholm: Aftonbladets Druckerei. pp. 44–45. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.68640.
- Couvreur T (2014). "Revision of the African genus Uvariastrum (Annonaceae)". PhytoKeys (33): 1–40. doi:10.3897/phytokeys.33.5907. PMC 3921557. PMID 24526846.
- Walker, James W. (1971). "Pollen Morphology, Phytogeography, and Phylogeny of the Annonaceae". Contributions from the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University. 202 (202): 1–130. doi:10.5962/p.272704. JSTOR 41764703. S2CID 249081277.
- Malaisse F, Parent G (2010). "Edible wild vegetable products in the Zambezian woodland area: A nutritional and ecological approach". Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 18 (1): 43–82. doi:10.1080/03670244.1985.9990913.