Ophrypetalum Explained

Ophrypetalum is a genus of plant in the family Annonaceae. It is native to Kenya and Tanzania.[1] It contains a single species, Ophrypetalum odoratum. Ludwig Diels, the German botanist who first formally described the species, named it after the perfumed odor (odōrātus, in Latin)[2] of its flowers. Bioactive molecules isolated from its roots and leaves have been reported to have antifungal activity in tests with Candida albicans.[3]

Description

It is a bush reaching 4 to 5 meters in height. Its branches have lenticels. Its leaves are 2–12 by 1.2-5.5 centimeters and come to a shallow point at their tips. The leaves are green on their upper surface and dull, pale green on their lower surfaces. Its petioles are 5 millimeters long. Each flower is on a hairy pedicel 0.2-2.2 centimeters long. Its flowers have 3 oval-shaped sepals that are 6–9 by 6-9 millimeters. The sepals are smooth on both surfaces and concave . Its 6 petals are arranged in two rows of 3. The outer petals are yellow or brown, with a 3.5-5.5 millimeter long claw at their base and a 3.5-5.5 by 8-10 millimeter blade. The outer petals have delicate hairs on their outer surface and are smooth inside. The inner petals are similarly colored, have a 4–6 by 2.5-3 millimeter claw at their base, and a 4 by 8.5 millimeter blade. The inner petals are very lightly hairy on their outer surface and smooth inside with the exception of a distinctive ridge of brown fleshy bristles at their base. It has numerous stamens that are 0.6-0.8 millimeters long. Its fruit are 5–6.8 by 1.8-2.2 centimeters and have 3 longitudinal ribs. Its seeds are 2.5 by 1.4 centimeters with testa that form wings on either side.[4] [5]

Pollen is shed as permanent tetrads.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ophrypetalum odoratum Diels. . n.d. . Plants of the World Online . The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . May 21, 2019.
  2. Book: Stearn, William . Botanical Latin . Timber Press David & Charles . Portland, Ore. Newton Abbot . 2004 . 9780881926279 .
  3. Malebo. Hamisi M.. Kihampa. Charles. Mgina. Clarence A.. Sung’hwa. Fortunatus. Waibel. Reiner. Jonker. Stephan A.. Nkunya. Mayunga H. H.. Antifungal Enantiomeric Styrylpyrones from Sanrafaelia ruffonammari and Ophrypetalum odoratum. Natural Products and Bioprospecting. 4. 2. 2014. 129–133. 2192-2195. 10.1007/s13659-014-0014-6. 24859289. 4004844.
  4. Mildbraed . J. . 1936 . Neue und seltene Arten aus Ostafrika (Tanganyika-Territ. Mandat) leg. H. J. Schlieben, XI . New and rare species from East Africa (Tanganyika Territ. Mandate) leg. H. J. Schlieben, XI . Latin, German . Notizblatt des Königlichen botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin . 13 . 117 . 260–303 . 10.2307/3994972. 3994972 .
  5. OPHRYPETALUM Diels [family ANNONACEAE] ]. Verdcourt . B. . 1971 . Global Plants . ITHAKA . May 21, 2019.
  6. Book: Walker, James W. . Ferguson . I.K. . Muller . J. . The Evolutionary Significance of the Exine . published for the Linnean Society of London by Academic Press. 1976 . 251–290 . Evolutionary Significance of the Exine in the Pollen of Primative [sic?] Angiosperms . 0122536509.