Author: |
Spencer Le Marchant Moore,
1899 |
Family: |
PEDALIACEAE |
Origin: |
North-Western Somalia,
Eastern Ethiopia |
Soil: |
Mix |
Water: |
Medium |
Sun: |
Medium - Maximum |
Thickness: |
7 Centimetres |
Height: |
15 Centimetres |
Flower: |
Purplish - Mauve / Yellow |
Propagate: |
Seeds |
Names: |
- |
Synonyms: |
Pterodiscus heterophyllus,
Stapf.
Pterodiscus intermedius, Engl, |
This member of the
Pedaliaceae family
was given this name by Spencer Le Marchant Moore in 1899. It is found in
north-western Somalia and eastern Ethiopia, growing in a well drained soil with
some water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow to seven centimetres in diameter, the entire plant
to fifteen centimetres in height. The flowers are purplish to mauve, throat
sometimes yellow. The fruit is very distinctive and unique within the
genus: Elliptic in lateral view, 1.8–2.5 times 1.2–1.7 centimetres, only
slightly laterally compressed and around one centimetre thick, tardily
dehiscent, strongly sclerified, beak triangular, wings around three
millimetres wide, usually curled and appressed to the body; up to ten
obovate seeds in each cell. The tubers are said to be oblong to
turnip-shaped subterranean and edible!
The genera name from Latin
ptero; 'winged' and Latin discus; 'disc'. The species
name for the sac-like protrusion at the base of the corolla tuber (a
reduced spur). |