Glossostelma spathulatum (K. Schum.) Bullock

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Photo: Nicholas Wightman
Mutinondo Wilderness Lodge, Mpike Distr., Muchinga Province

Photo: Nicholas Wightman
Munshimbwe area, Mporokoso Distr., Northern Province

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Synonyms:	Gomphocarpus spathulatus (K. Schum.) Schltr. Schizoglossum spathulatum K. Schum. Xysmalobium bellum N. E. Br. Xysmalobium spathulatum (K. Schum.) N. E. Br.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Erect perennial herb to c. 50 cm high. Leaves spreading or ascending, spathulate, obovate, oblanceolate, lanceolate or oblong, 2-5-10 cm long, tapering gradually or abruptly at the base into the petiole, hairless or sparsely hairy beneath, midrib channelled above, lateral veins numerous, parallel; petiole 2-20 mm long. Umbels up to 4-flowered. Peduncles pubescent at least on one side, 2-30 mm long. Pedicels 11 - 30 mm long, pubescent on one side. Calyx lobes ovate, 6-10 mm long. Corolla lobed to 1-2 mm from the base, green or maroon with reddish brown, yellow or white markings inside; lobes obovate, 13-25 mm long, recurved, hairless. Corona lobes subglobose c. 3 mm long and 2 mm wide, with a flattened inner face and three short, teeth near the top, white or yellowish. Anther appendages broadly ovate, 1 - 5 mm long. Follicles ovate-lanceolate, c. 7 cm long, finely velvety.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	spathulatum: spoon-shaped or spathulate.
Habitat:	Miombo woodland and open grassland.
Altitude range:	650 - 1900 m
Flowering time:	Mostly Feb
Worldwide distribution:	Angola, DRC, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Mozambique distribution:	N
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:	Saturday 3 August 2019
Literature:	Binns, B. (1968). A First Check List of the Herbaceous Flora of Malawi The Government Printer, Zomba, Malawi Page 21. 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 25. Goyder, D.J. (1995). Notes on the African genus Glossostelma Kew Bulletin 50 Pages 537 - 540. Goyder, D.J., Gilbert, M.G. & Venter, H.J.T. (2020). Apocynaceae (Part 2) Flora Zambesiaca 7(2) Pages 328 - 330. (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 20. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 25.

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Flora of Malawi: Glossostelma spathulatum
Flora of Zambia: Glossostelma spathulatum
Flora of Zimbabwe: Glossostelma spathulatum

External websites:

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