Strephonema pseudocola
| Strephonema pseudocola | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Combretaceae |
| Genus: | Strephonema |
| Species: | S. pseudocola
|
| Binomial name | |
| Strephonema pseudocola | |
Strephonema pseudocola is a species of flowering plant in the family Combretaceae. It is a tree found in the forests of tropical West Africa.[1] It was first described from the Ivory Coast.[2]
Description
Strephonema pseudocola is a large tree growing to a height of about 70 ft (20 m). The leaves are alternate, simple and entire, the apex drawn out into a point. The white flowers are much larger than those of other members of the genus. They are bisexual, with parts in fives, and have a pedicel. The receptacle is cup-shaped, with the ovary visible inside at the base; this means that as the fruit develops, the remains of the calyx, petals and stamens are at the base of the fruit, whereas, in other genera of the family Combretaceae, they are at the top. The succulent fruit is some 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) wide and 2 in (5.1 cm) long, rough, with a sharp apex and a warty appearance; it resembles a gall, and contains a single, large seed with two cotyledons; the fruit is similar in appearance to a kola nut.[2][3]
Distribution
Strephonema pseudocola is native to the forests of tropical West Africa, its range extending from Sierra Leone through Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana to Cameroon.[1] It is the only species in the genus to be found west of Nigeria.[2]
References
- ^ a b "Strephonema pseudocola A.Chev". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- ^ a b c Jongkind, Carel C.H. (1995). "Review of the Genus Strephonema (Combretaceae)". Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. 82 (4): 535–541. doi:10.2307/2399834.
- ^ "Strephonema pseudocola: Compilation". JSTOR Global Plants. Retrieved 24 October 2021.