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Umtamvuna Nature Reserve, South Africa |
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Pedlars Bush, near
Barberton, South Africa |
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Distribution
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Probably two populations: one at low altitude in the Congo basin
extending to Sierra Leone; the other at higher altitude extending from
South Africa to Uganda and Kenya. The latter population may also occur at higher
altitudes in the Congo basin, resulting in a sympatric distribution separated by
altitude and pollination biology. |
Biology
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Pollinator: Alfonsiella
michaloudi Wiebes (central
Africa), Alfonsiella pipithiensis (southern & east Africa). |
Habitat
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In lowland
rainforest (central and west African population) and afromontane forest
(southern and east African population).
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Comments
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As currently defined F. craterostoma
probably constitutes two species distinguished by disparate habitat
preference. Each population has a different pollinator species
providing further support for this contention. |
| Description (after Berg in Berg
& Wiebes 1992) |
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Biological
form
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shrub
or tree up to 10 m tall, hemi-epiphytic
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Leaves
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shape
& colour
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subopposite,
subtriangular, (sub)coriaceous, apex truncate, base acute, both surface
glabrous
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size
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3-8
x 2-5 cm
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lateral
veins
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5-10
pairs, basal pair short, midrib not reaching the apex of the lamina
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petiole
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0.5-2
cm long, glabrous
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Stipules
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0.5
cm long, glabrous or white puberulous, subpersistent or caducous
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Figs
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position
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in
pairs in the leaf axils
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shape
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globose
to ellipsoid, Æ
0.8-1.2 cm (fresh), glabrous or puberulous
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peduncle
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none,
fig sessile
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basal
bracts
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1-1.5
mm long, persistent
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Credits
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Photographs
©
Jean-Yves Rasplus and Simon van
Noort (Iziko Museums of Cape Town)Web
editing: Aisha Mayekiso |
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