Helixanthera woodii (Schltr. & K.Krause) Danser

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 9, Part 3. Polygonaceae-Myriaceae. Pope GV, Polhill RM, Martins ES. 2006.

Type

Type from South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal).

Morphology Stem

Stems much branched to 0.6 m; branchlets 1–3 mm diameter, green

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Corolla in bud quadrangular in lower quarter to half, somewhat shouldered to slight neck, tapered in upper part; petals white to pinkish, 6–11 mm long, linear-spathulate, thickened and grooved below filament insertion Corolla in bud quadrangular in lower quarter to half, somewhat shouldered to slight neck, tapered in upper part; petals white to pinkish, 6–11 mm long, linear-spathulate, thickened and grooved below filament insertion.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamen filament raised on a stub-like petal-appendage; anthers locellate, 2–4 mm long Stamen filament raised on a stub-like petal-appendage; anthers locellate, 2–4 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style

Style 5–10 mm long Style 5–10 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Berry scarlet, 7–9 mm long, ellipsoid; seed white. Berry scarlet, 7–9 mm long, ellipsoid; seed white.

Note

For the Flora of Southern Africa (Wiens & Tölken, 1979), H. woodii was treated in a restricted sense for small flowered (style c. 5 mm long) and leaved (lamina 2–3 cm long) plants of notably compact growth from the Ngoya Forest of central KwaZulu-Natal, but this form seems very similar to that from the Chimanimani Mts. and some of the more robust plants attributed to H. subcylindrica are sufficiently similar to suggest that they are conspecific.

Distribution

Also coastal and midland forests of KwaZulu-Natal. On the Chimanimani Mts. at c. 1500 m; on Englerophytum (Bequertiodendron) and other forest trees, but repeatedly noted as rare; flowering October–December. ZIM E Zimbabwe

Morphology General Habit

Stems much branched to 0.6 m; branchlets 1–3 mm diameter, green.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite or subopposite; petiole 1–6 mm long; lamina chartaceous, 1–5.5 × 0.6–2 cm, ovate-lanceolate to ovate or elliptic, blunt or pointed, with 4–7 pairs of lateral nerves variably apparent. Leaves opposite or subopposite; petiole 1–6 mm long; lamina chartaceous, 1–5.5 × 0.6–2 cm, ovate-lanceolate to ovate or elliptic, blunt or pointed, with 4–7 pairs of lateral nerves variably apparent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Racemes terminal and axillary on mostly short lateral branches, 1.5–3 cm long, 10–30-flowered; pedicel 1.5–4 mm long; bract 0.8–1.2 mm long, ovate, dorsally umbonate or spurred. Racemes terminal and axillary on mostly short lateral branches, 1.5–3 cm long, 10–30-flowered; pedicel 1.5–4 mm long; bract 0.8–1.2 mm long, ovate, dorsally umbonate or spurred

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Receptacle

Receptacle 1–2 mm long. Receptacle 1–2 mm long; calyx entire to slightly toothed

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx entire to slightly toothed.