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Synonyms: |
Cleome aphylla Thunb. |
Common names: | Leafless wormbush (English) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Leafless shrub or small tree, often forming a tangled shrubby mass. Branches semi-succulent, green, hairless, often spine-tipped. Leaves absent except on seedling and very young branchlets, c. 10 × 2 mm. Flowers in few-flowered axillary clusters; sepals red; petals absent; stamens red, fused onto a long androgynophore. Fruit cylindrical, up to 90 × 7 mm, slightly constricted, hairless. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | aphylla: without leaves |
Habitat: | Occurring in very dry, semidesert scrub. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 700 m |
Flowering time: | Aug - Jan |
Worldwide distribution: | Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa |
Zimbabwe distribution: | S |
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: | Monday 4 March 2024 |
Literature: |
Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 238. 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 32. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 44. Wild, H. (1960). Capparaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(1) Pages 207 - 209. (Includes a picture). |
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