Southern Africa
Haemodoraceae
Commelinidae---Commelinales
(Liliidae—Liliales (outdated classification))
Updated with iNat links 25 June 2018
Distinguishing Features
1. Underground stem usually has red cell-sap (phenalenones) (no other family in sA contains this sap)
2. Three stamens opposite inner tepals (only other petaloid Monocot family with three stamens is Iridaceae, but they are opposite the outer tepals)
Full description
Compiled by Robert Archer
Habit Perennial, usually tufted, herbs, Stem underground - short rhizome, tuber, or corm, often with red cell-sap (phenalenones). Leaves radical (arising at ground level), sometimes cauline (along the stem), distichous (opposite and lying in the same plane as the leaf pairs above and below), linear (thin, more or less same width for entire length) or ensiform (sword-shaped), sheathing at base. Inflorescence cymes (oldest flower at apex), racemes or panicles, sometimes subumbellate, rarely solitary Flowers bisexual, regular or ± irregular, often glandular-pubescent (covered in glandular hairs) or villous (woolly). Perianth lobes or segments 6, in 1 or 2 whorls; tube absent to long, straight or curved; persistent. Stamens 3 (in all indigenous sA genera, 6 in Anigozanthos, an Australian invader), opposite inner perianth segments; filaments free; anthers 2-thecous, basifixed or versatile, often sagittate (arrow-shaped), opening by longitudinal slits. Ovary superior, inferior, or subinferior, (1, 2), 3-locular, with 1-numerous axile ovules; style filiform; stigma apical, small or trifid. Fruit a loculicidal or septicidal capsule or indehiscent. Seeds solitary to many in each locule.
Worldwide (sthn Afr., Australia and tropical America) 14 genera, ± 100 species; sthn Afr.: 4 genera (1 exotic), ± 11species.
Key to southern African genera
1a. Stamens 6 *Anigozanthos
1b. Stamens 3 2
2a Rootstock a stoloniferous corm; ovary superior, with 1 fertile locule; slender plants with sparse glandular pubescence on raceme, eastern forests Barberetta
2b Rootstock a rhizome; ovary superior, inferior, or subinferior, with 1-3 fertile locules; strong, tufted plants variously pubescent, Western Cape extending to PE 3
3a Ovary inferior; one of the stamens with a larger anther on a shorter filament; leaves ribbed Dilatris
3b Ovary superior; stamens equal; leaves plicate (folded like a fan) Wachendorfia
David Gwynne-Evans has kindly allowed me to use some of his photos.
Tony Rebelo (unwittingly) contributed the stem photo.
Robert (Cassine) generously helped with the genus key, proofreading and some references. Thank you Robert!
References:
Heywood, V. 1993. Flowering plants of the world. Oxford University Press, New York.
Heywood, V, Brummitt, R.K., Culham, A. & Seberg, O. 2007. Flowering plant families of the world. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leistner, O. A. 2000. Seed Plants of southern Africa: families and genera. Strelitzia 10.
Came up in supposedly weed free potting mix
Freakshow. Flowers growing out of drying flowers in my garden.
These were small silvery shrubs and quite charming. I'd have liked to be something else.
Seen just above Cecilia Forest parking
In centre of image. It seems different to the one to the bottom right
Growing in full sun in crack in rock outcrop, sand fynbos near coast
succulent 'ferny' leaves. A few plants along that path, tucked in the shelter of bigger shrubs.
Renosterveld wetlands
We have large Ekebergia capensis trees in our garden in PE. Every so often, these things, whatever they are, fall off onto our deck. The white and pink ones were found very recently, the brown one a year ago but it was the same size and colour as the white one when I found it. Any ideas?
I have no idea what this is..
Localities not given although I used iNat.
Strange one: not recognized. Only 1 seen, 3m tall, single stemmed.
Probably E hispidula, but I have the following reservations about calling it:
many other hispidula growing in immediate vicinity - both pink and white, but all with red stigmas and far more floriferous.
@cmerry @sethmusker @nigelforshaw @jeremygilmore @johnmanning @rion_c @alanhorstman @tonyrebelo
Second photo:
Euphorbia stictospora (left), Euphorbia maculata (middle left), Euphorbia prostrata (middle right), and Euphorbia glyptosperma (right).
Third photo:
Euphorbia stictospora (left), Euphorbia prostrata (middle left), Euphorbia maculata (middle right), and Euphorbia glyptosperma (right).
See the larva here - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/157521979
Pupa and cocoon - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165471094
This is the adult - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/163801629
Pupa and cocoon - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165471094
Food plant - Gymnosporia buxifolia
From left: Erigeron bonariensis, Erigeron sumatrensis, Erigeron canadensis, Laennicia coulteri.
abnormal discoloration on bird
About the size of a goat's jaw
Observed at different locations on south facing slopes. Plant has a single tuberous root with a single stem. Bottom leaves are different from leaves closer to the flower. Not taller than 20cm.
South facing, ridgeline on peak.
F1 generation - all Pr neri and obvious hybrids were removed in previous fire cycle: so these are from parents that looked like Pr lepidocarpodendron
very distinct undescribed sp only known from one other obs on iNat (Gt Winterhoek)
These are monocarpic single leaf species and as the name suggests they are big! This one measures 85 x 58 cm and took about 8 weeks to get to this size.
Granites amongst grassland
Day after first heavy rain 20 mm. River bank on basalt hillside.
Approximate date. This is the last known wild individual of the species, supposed a male, paired with Primolius maracana. It disappeared around 2000.
There is a reintroduction project in progress
Could only find one inflorescence that was no longer on the plant
A green chiton attached to a half crab. We observed this alien looking commensal beast while undertaking an intertidal survey on the reefs off Hawera. It made us jump when we first turned over the rock.