Melhania acuminata Mast.
var. acuminata

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Plateau above Nhagutua Gorge, Gorongosa National Park, Cheringoma

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Synonyms:	Melhania velutina sensu Exell & Mendonça
Common names:
Frequency:	Frequent
Status:	Native
Description:	Much-branched perennial shrubby herb, up to 60 cm tall. Most parts covered in silvery-grey indumentum. Leaves ovate-oblong to ovate, up to 11 cm long, somewhat discolorous, silvery hairy on both surfaces, particularly beneath; margin serrate. Flowers 1-3 together in the axils on a peduncle up to 9 cm long, bright yellow. Epicalyx bracts long-acuminate to caudate. Style 7-11 mm long.
Notes:	This species is very closely related to Melhania forbesii but can be distinguished by the long acuminate to caudate epicalyx bracts and the much longer style. M. forbesii also has a more rusty-brown indumentum. Possible hybrids between the 2 species have been recorded. These usually show epicalyx bracts like M. forbesii but styles of intermediate length. Also see var. agnosta for comparison.
Derivation of specific name:	acuminata: with a long, drawn-out point or acuminate, referring to the epicalyx lobes.
Habitat:	In open deciduous woodland and Brachystegia woodland.
Altitude range:	Up to 1500 m
Flowering time:	Jan - May
Worldwide distribution:	Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Limpopo and Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Mozambique distribution:	T,MS,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:	Monday 6 July 2015
Literature:	Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 38. Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 25. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 112. Fabian, A. & Germishuizen, G. (1997). Wild Flowers of Northern South Africa. Fernwood Press, Vlaeburg. Pages 260 - 261. (Includes a picture). Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 220. (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 80. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 75. Plowes, D.C.H. & Drummond, R.B. (1990). Wild Flowers of Zimbabwe. Revised edition. Longman, Zimbabwe. No. 77, plate 104 Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 107. Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 227. as Melhania velutina Wild, H. (1960-1). Sterculiaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(2) Pages 132 - 133.

Other sources of information about Melhania acuminata var. acuminata:

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Flora of Botswana: Melhania acuminata var. acuminata
Flora of Caprivi: Melhania acuminata var. acuminata
Flora of Zambia: Melhania acuminata var. acuminata
Flora of Zimbabwe: Melhania acuminata var. acuminata

External websites:

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