Rumex lanceolatus Thunb.

Flora Zambesiaca. Vol. 9, Part 3. Polygonaceae-Myriaceae. Pope GV, Polhill RM, Martins ES. 2006.

Habit

Erect perennial herbs up to 50 cm tall Erect perennial herbs up to 50 cm tall.

Stem

Stems hollow, glabrous, longitudinally striate, producing leafy axillary shoots which develop secondary inflorescences Stems hollow, glabrous, longitudinally striate, producing leafy axillary shoots which develop secondary inflorescences.

Leaves

Leaves green or greenish-brown; lamina 12–18 × 2–3 cm, narrowly oblong-lanceolate, subacute at the apex, attenuate at the base, entire or wavy on the margin, glabrous or with scattered papillae beneath; petiole 3–5 cm long Leaves green or greenish-brown; lamina 12–18 × 2–3 cm, narrowly oblong-lanceolate, subacute at the apex, attenuate at the base, entire or wavy on the margin, glabrous or with scattered papillae beneath; petiole 3–5 cm long.

Ocrea

Ocrea 1–2.5 cm long, striate, entire Ocrea 1–2.5 cm long, striate, entire.

Flowers

Flowers hermaphrodite, pedicellate, in many-flowered whorls arranged in congested terminal or axillary racemes, forming panicles; pedicels 2–3 mm long, unequal, articulated near or above the middle Flowers hermaphrodite, pedicellate, in many-flowered whorls arranged in congested terminal or axillary racemes, forming panicles; pedicels 2–3 mm long, unequal, articulated near or above the middle.

Perianth

Outer perianth segments greenish-brown, c. 2 mm long, oblong-lanceolate; inner perianth segments 3.5–4(4.5) × 2–3.5 mm, rhombic to triangular-lanceolate, acute or subacute to the apex, cuneate to rounded at the base, entire or subdenticulate on the margin, reticulate-veined, with a ± well developed dorsal tubercle near the base Outer perianth segments greenish-brown, c. 2 mm long, oblong-lanceolate; inner perianth segments 3.5–4(4.5) × 2–3.5 mm, rhombic to triangular-lanceolate, acute or subacute to the apex, cuneate to rounded at the base, entire or subdenticulate on the margin, reticulate-veined, with a ± well developed dorsal tubercle near the base.

Stamens

Stamens 6; filaments filiform Stamens 6; filaments filiform.

Ovary

Ovary 1–1.5 × 0.8–1 mm, trigonous Ovary 1–1.5 × 0.8–1 mm, trigonous.

Fruits

Nut pale brown, shiny, 1.8–2.5 × 0.5–1.5 mm, trigonous. Nut pale brown, shiny, 1.8–2.5 × 0.5–1.5 mm, trigonous.

Ecology

On river banks and dam margins, in wet places; 1280–1700 m.

Distribution

ZIM W, ZIM S Zimbabwe Also in Namibia, South Africa and Lesotho.