Adromischus Sections

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ADROMISCHUS SECTIONS
Five sections are currently recognised in Adromischus, usually referred to by number, as defined by H. R. Tölken (1978). You should be able to identify an unnamed Adromischus when flowering into its section using the descriptions below, but beware of hybrids between sections.

Section 1 Adromischus Inflorescence usually unbranched, with 1-3 flowered cymes (reduced lateral branches). Buds with a short to medium length stalk and abruptly tapering at tip. Flowers with anthers protruding, petal tube cylindrical, lobes at least as broad as long and abruptly constricted at tip, nectary scales broader than long. A. hemisphaericus, UCBG 51.793, no locality data.
Section 2 Boreali Inflorescence thin, unbranched, usually glaucous, with single flowered cymes. Buds with a long stalk and gradually tapering. Flowers with anthers protruding, petal tube cylindrical, lobes at least as broad as long and gradually constricted at tip, nectary scales broader than long. All species are from the dry, summer-rainfall SA interior. A. trigynus "rupicola", UCBG 50.2113, no locality data.
Section 3 Brevipedunculati Inflorescence usually branched into multi-flowered side branches (cymes). Buds with a long stalk, grooved and gradually tapering. Flowers with anthers included, petal tube funnel shaped, lobes longer than broad, nectary scales much longer than broad. Uniform vegetatively, but diverse florally! A. caryophyllaceus "jasminiflorus", UCBG 54.311, no locality data.
Section 4 Incisilobati Inflorescence usually unbranched, with 1-3(-7) flowered cymes. Buds with a short stalk and gradually tapering. Flowers with anthers included, petal tube cylindrical, lobes longer than broad, nectary scales broader than long. A. maculatus, UCBG 53.329, no locality data.

Section 5 Longipedunculati

Inflorescence unbranched, usually glaucous or pubescent, with single flowered cymes. Buds with a short to medium length stalk, distinctly grooved and gradually tapering. Flowers with anthers included, petal tube cylindrical, lobes longer than broad, nectary scales broader than long.

A. marianiae "kubusensis var. imitans", UCBG 55.605,
Brakfontein, RV.

Adromischus marianiae kubusensis imitans

These exquisite ink drawings were by Mrs May Blos. She produced about seventy of Adromischus, mostly unpublished, while working with Paul Hutchison at the University of California Botanical Garden in the 1950's.

Key to drawings:
1. Leaf - side view
2. Leaf - top view with cross-sections
3. Flower - side view
4. Flower - face view
5. (Flower - face view, lobes fully recurved)
5/6. Bud - side view

6/7. Flower - outline cross-section mid-tube
7/8. Petal tube opened - insertion of ten stamens
8/9. Female carpels - five nectary scales at base, stigmas at tips
9/10. Nectary scale (squama)
10/11. Male anther
11/12. Anther apex

Last Updated: Feb 2003