Melhania substricta is a plant in the family Malvaceae, native to East Africa and Yemen.

Melhania substricta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Melhania
Species:
M. substricta
Binomial name
Melhania substricta

Description edit

Melhania substricta grows as a subshrub up to 50 centimetres (20 in) tall. The elliptic to ovate leaves are tomentose, coloured greenish above. They measure up to 3.6 cm (1 in) long. Inflorescences are solitary, or rarely two-flowered. The flowers have bright yellow petals.[2]

Distribution and habitat edit

Melhania substricta is native to Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Yemen.[1] Its habitat is in Acacia-Commiphora bushland or woodland at altitudes of 400–500 m (1,300–1,600 ft). The species is only known from about ten sites and is considered vulnerable.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Melhania substricta". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
  2. ^ a b Cheek, Martin; Dorr, Laurence J. (2007). Beentje, Henk (ed.). Sterculiaceae – Flora of Tropical East Africa. Vol. 237. East African governments by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 9781842461853 – via Plants of the World Online.