Melhania didyma

Melhania didyma is a plant in the mallow family Malvaceae, native to southern Africa.

Melhania didyma
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Melhania
Species:
M. didyma
Binomial name
Melhania didyma
Synonyms[1]
  • Melhania macrophylla (Vis.) Vis.
  • Vialia macrophylla Vis.

Description

Melhania didyma grows as a low bushy shrub 20–60 centimetres (8–24 in) tall, sometimes to 1 m (3 ft) tall. It branches from near the base, with a woody main stem. The leaves are pubescent above, tomentose below and measure up to 10 cm (4 in) long. Inflorescences measuring up to 5 cm (2 in) long are typically two-flowered and feature yellow petals. The species resembles Melhania forbesii in the bracts of the epicalyx, but differs in upper leaf surface.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Melhania didyma is native to Botswana, South Africa (Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Provinces) and Swaziland.[1] Its habitat includes thornveld, grassy slopes or forest margins. The species is often found by rivers.[2]

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References
  1. "Melhania didyma". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  2. Verdoorn, I. C. (10 November 1981). "Revision of Melhania in southern Africa". Bothalia - African Biodiversity and Conservation. Cape Town: AOSIS. 13 (3, 4): 264–265. doi:10.4102/abc.v13i3/4.1315.


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