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Tragia durbanensis

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Species of creeper

Stinging nettle creeper
T. durbanensis from Athlone Park, Amanzimtoti, South Africa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Tragia
Species: T. durbanensis
Binomial name
Tragia durbanensis
Kuntze
Synonyms

See text

Tragia durbanensis, the stinging nettle creeper, is a twining herb in the family Euphorbiaceae, with a restricted distribution in southern Africa.

Distribution and habitat

It is native to the coastal areas of Mozambique and eastern coastal areas of South Africa. These plants are found in dune forest, in woodland and on forest margins.

Description

A much-branched climbing perennial herb, with twining stems up to 2.5 m originating from a woody rootstock. The leaves are hairless or thinly hairy with serrated margins. The hairs sting fiercely. Inflorescences are up to 5.5 cm long with peduncles up to 2 cm long. The inflorescences are composed mostly of tiny male flowers with 1–2 female flowers below or else all male.

Synonyms

  • Tragia capensis E.Mey. ex Sond.
  • Tragia glabrata (Müll.Arg.) Pax & K.Hoffm.
  • Tragia glabrata var. hispida Radcl.-Sm.
  • Tragia meyeriana var. glabrata Müll.Arg.

Ecological significance

This species is one of the larval foodplants of four species of butterfly; Eurytela hiarbas, Eurytela dryope, Byblia ilithyia and Byblia anvatara.

Gallery

  • Female flower Female flower
  • Fruit viewed from the side Fruit viewed from the side
  • Fruit viewed from the front Fruit viewed from the front

References

  1. ^ Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to Wild Flowers; KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. ISBN 0-620-21500-3.
  2. Swaziland's Flora Database: Tragia glabrata (Müll.Arg.) Pax & K.Hoffm. var. glabrata: http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/speciesinfo.asp?spid=1670, retrieved 1 March 2011.
  3. JSTOR PLANT SCIENCE: Entry for Tragia glabrata var. glabrata : http://plants.jstor.org/flora/fz7111, retrieved 1 March 2011.
  4. ^ JSTOR PLANT SCIENCE: Entry for Tragia glabrata Müll. Arg. Pax & K. Hoffm. : http://plants.jstor.org/flora/fz7110, retrieved 1 March 2011.
  5. Williams, M. (1994). Butterflies of Southern Africa; A Field Guide. Southern Book Publishers. ISBN 1-86812-516-5.
Taxon identifiers
Tragia durbanensis
Category: