Commicarpus pentandrus (Burch.) Heimerl

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Photo: Paul Hubbard
Near Matobo Mission, Matobo Hills

Photo: Bart Wursten
Tshabalala Nature Reserve, Bulawayo

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Synonyms:	Boerhavia burchellii Choisy Boerhavia pentandra Burch. Boerhavia transvaalensis Gandoger
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Mat-forming herb with procumbent, branched stems, growing from a woody root-stock. Leaves broadly ovate or elliptic to almost round, 1-6 cm long, slightly fleshy, more or less crisped pubescent on both surfaces, particularly on the veins. Inflorescences in whorls or irregularly branched on a stout more or less pubescent erect peduncle. Flowers 9-15 mm long and c. 15 mm in diameter, purple, magenta or pinkish-red with sticky glands scattered on the surface, often with 5 more prominent glands near the apex. Stamens 4-6, usually 5, 11-17 mm long. Fruit 7-10 mm long with wart-like sticky glands along the sides particularly prominent around the apex.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	pentandrus: with 5 stamens.
Habitat:	In grassland, often on floodplain areas, and clearings in forest or woodland.
Altitude range:	Up to 1400 m
Flowering time:	Oct - Jan
Worldwide distribution:	Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.
Mozambique distribution:	M
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Sunday 11 December 2011
Literature:	Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 10. Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 281. (Includes a picture). 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 64. Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 378 - 379. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 89. Stannard, B.L. (1988). Nyctaginaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(1) Pages 18 - 20. (Includes a picture).

Other sources of information about Commicarpus pentandrus:

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Flora of Botswana: Commicarpus pentandrus
Flora of Zimbabwe: Commicarpus pentandrus

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Commicarpus pentandrus
African Plant Database: Commicarpus pentandrus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Commicarpus pentandrus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Commicarpus pentandrus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Commicarpus pentandrus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Commicarpus pentandrus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Commicarpus pentandrus
JSTOR Plant Science: Commicarpus pentandrus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Commicarpus pentandrus
Plants of the World Online: Commicarpus pentandrus
Tropicos: Commicarpus pentandrus
Wikipedia: Commicarpus pentandrus