| Home | > | List of families | > | Gentianaceae | > | Canscora | > | diffusa |
| Synonyms: |
Gentiana diffusa Vahl |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Erect annual, much branched herb, usually up to 35 cm tall, rarely taller. Stem slender, 4-angled, hairless. Leaves ovate-elliptic to elliptic, 1–4 cm long, 3–5 veined from the base, hairless; upper leaves sessile, lower leaves with petiole up to 5 mm long. Flowers very numerous, in lax somewhat diffuse, leafy inflorescences, pink, mauve or white; bracts sessile, ovate, 4–8 mm long; pedicels 5–15 mm long, not winged. Calyx tube 4–5 mm long, scarcely swollen towards the base, not winged; teeth 1.5–2 mm long. Corolla tube 5–6 mm long; lobes unequal, ovate obtuse, 1.5–2 mm long. Capsule cylindric, 4–5 mm long. |
| Type location: |
Egypt |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | diffusa: diffuse, loosely spreading |
| Habitat: | On rock surfaces, in damp sandy soils and on river banks. |
| Altitude range: | 610 - 1350 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in tropical Africa, tropical Asia and Australia. |
| Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca): | W,C,E,S |
| Zambian distribution (Provinces): | Cb,Lk,S |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Literature: |
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 53. Paiva, J. & Nogueira, I. (1990). Gentianaceae Flora Zambesiaca 7(4) Pages 37 - 39. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 66. |
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