Ottosonderia
Source:
SSA
Description:
Compact shrublets with short vegetative growth and prominent, elongated floral branches with persistent inflorescences/infructescences. Leaves of two markedly different types: (1) on vegetative growth: opposite, +/- united at base, digitiform, subterete, up to +/- 60 mm long, 5 mm broad, stomata slightly sunken; outer epidermal wall with a thin to moderate crystal layer; (2) hypsophylls or bracts on fertile branches: opposite, leaf pairs fused +/- halfway, basal part sheathing stem, free parts +/- boat-shaped but not keeled, much shorter than type (1). Inflorescence unique. Flowers solitary per season, but inflorescence at length developing into a wide-spreading perennial cyme by annual addition of one pair of bracteate flowers below each terminal fruit, with hardened remnants of bracts and fruits remaining throughout. Sepals 4, apiculate; outer ones compressed and keeled, inner ones with brown, membranous margins. Petals 1-2-seriate, purplish pink. Stamens and staminodes +/- 5-seriate, papillate at base. Nectary a fairly prominent crenate ring. Ovary convex on top; placentas parietal; stigmas (6-)8, narrowly subulate. Fruit a (6-)8-locular capsule, close to Ruschia type but valves with low rims, yet forming a rounded dome, valves erect when open, without wings; expanding keels erect, thick; covering membranes well developed; closing bodies large. Seeds +/- ovoid, +/- 1.25 mm long, brown. F lowering in winter. D istinguishing characters: perennials with compact vegetative growth and elongated reproductive parts; inflorescences persistent.
Distribution:
Species 2, very localised distribution in Namaqualand, with two separate distributions, the one to the north and the other just south of the border between the Northern and Western Cape.