Kadua formosa
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Kadua formosa |
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| Hillebr. |
Kadua formosa is a plant from the genus Kadua in the family of the Rubiaceae (Rubiaceae). It is endemic to Hawaii .
description
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Vegetative characteristics
Kadua formosa grows as a dwarf shrub that can reach heights of up to 1 meter. The prostrate main trunk is hollow and has an approximately square cross-section. The bark is hairless.
The constantly against arranged on the branches leaves are divided into a petiole and leaf blade. The petiole is 0.2 to 0.4 inches long. The simple, leathery leaf blade is 5.5 to 14 centimeters long and 1.6 to 4.5 centimeters wide and lanceolate through elliptical to elongated. The base of the spreader is wedge-shaped, the tip of the spreader is tapered and the edge of the spreader is entire. Several pairs of side veins branch off from each side of the central leaf vein and the higher-order leaf veins form a striking, net-like pattern. The stipules resemble the deciduous leaves, are fused with the base of the petiole and thus form a long, pointed leaf sheath . The broad triangular leaf sheath is 0.35 to 0.45 inches long.
Generative characteristics
The dense panicle-like inflorescences are on an inflorescence stalk. The inflorescences contain several sessile or stalked single flowers. The flower stalks can be between 0.1 and 0.2 inches long.
The four-fold flowers are radial symmetry . The cylindrical-top-shaped flower cup is about 0.2 centimeters long. The sepals are fused together to form a calyx tube. The calyx lobes are 0.7 to 1 millimeter long and 0.6 to 0.7 millimeters wide and have a obtuse triangular shape. The fleshy, white petals are fused together like a saucer. The corolla tube reaches a length of 2 to 2.6 centimeters. The four crown lobes reach lengths of around 0.6 to 0.7 centimeters. The lobed stylus is hairless.
The capsule fruits are cylindrical-elliptical in shape with a length of 0.9 to 1.2 centimeters and a thickness of 0.3 to 0.35 centimeters. The endocarp is very lignified. Each of the fruits contains several dark brown to almost black seeds. They are irregularly shaped like a shield.
Occurrence
The natural range of Kadua formosa is on the Hawaiian island of Maui .
Taxonomy
It was first described as Kadua formosa in 1888 by Wilhelm Hillebrand in Flora of the Hawaiian Islands .
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f Kadua formosa. In: Flora of the Hawaiian Islands. www.botany.si.edu/pacificislandbiodiversity/hawaiianflora, accessed on January 24, 2017 (English).
- ^ Kadua formosa at Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, accessed January 24, 2017.
