Ophrypetalum

Ophrypetalum is a genus of plant in the family Annonaceae. It is native to Kenya and Tanzania.^[2] 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)^[3] of its flowers. Bioactive molecules isolated from its roots and leaves have been reported to have antifungal activity in tests with Candida albicans.^[4]

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.^[5][6]

Pollen is shed as permanent tetrads.^[7]

References

Ophrypetalum é um género botânico pertencente à família Annonaceae^[1].