| Home | > | List of families | > | Gentianaceae | > | Canscora | > | kirkii |
| Synonyms: | |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | Uncommon |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Erect annual herb, up to 35 cm tall. Stem slender, 4-angled, hairless. Leaves ovate-elliptic to elliptic, 1–3.5 cm, 3–5-veined from the base, hairless; upper leaves sessile, lower leaves with petiole up to 5 mm long. Flowers very numerous, in slender leafy inflorescences, pink, pinkish-white or white; bracts sessile, ovate, 3–5 mm long; pedicels 4–12 mm long, not winged. Calyx tube 2–2.5 mm. long; teeth, 0.75–1.5 mm long. Corolla tube 2.5–3.5 mm. long; lobes obovate-elliptic, oblong, emarginate or bifid at the apex, 1.5–2 mm long. Capsule cylindric, 3–3.5 mm long. |
| Notes: | Although not in Kirkia 18-1 (Mapaura, 2002) and only listed for Zambia in Sabonet 14 (Golding, 2002), this species is both a Near-endemic and should be considered Vulnerable. |
| Derivation of specific name: | kirkii: named after Dr John Kirk, who accompanied David Livingstone on his Zambezi expedition of 1858 |
| Habitat: | In bogs at edge of rain forest and rocks in spray zone. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | 890 - 910 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Only known from the area around Victoria Falls in Zambia and Zambia. |
| Zimbabwe distribution: | W |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | Near Endemic |
| Red data list status: | Vulnerable |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Literature: |
Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 142. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 53. Paiva, J. & Nogueira, I. (1990). Gentianaceae Flora Zambesiaca 7(4) Pages 38 - 39. (Includes a picture). Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 66. |
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