Thunbergia atriplicifolia, the Natal primrose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae,[2] native to South Africa and Eswatini.[1][3] It is a favored browse of the steenbok (Raphicerus campestris).[4]
| Thunbergia atriplicifolia | |
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| Flowers | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Acanthaceae |
| Genus: | Thunbergia |
| Species: | T. atriplicifolia
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| Binomial name | |
| Thunbergia atriplicifolia | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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List
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Etymology
editThe genus name Thunbergia is named for Swedish naturalist Carl Thunberg, the father of South African botany. The adjective atriplicifolia is derived from the Latin, meaning that its foliage is similar to that of members of the Atriplex genus.
Description
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Thunbergia atriplicifolia is a perennial, sparsely to densely pubescent shrublet reaching up to 4 cm high. Re-sprouts from a woody base. Leaves are sessile or with petioles up to 4 mm long; blade is narrow to broad ovate with acute to obtuse apex and cordate to cuneate base, about 2.5–6.0 x 1.5–3.5 cm; margins are entire or toothed, usually only with two teeth at the base. Flowers are trumpet-shaped, pale creamy with yellow throat, 4–5 cm in diameter. Seeds are reddish- or greyish-brown with evenly arranged trichomes, 4-6 mm in diameter.[5][6]
Ecology
editThunbergia atriplicifolia is a subordinate grassland species where it grows best in both loam and sandy soil.
Distribution
editThe species can be found through eastern South Africa.
References
edit- ^ a b "Thunbergia atriplicifolia E.Mey. ex Nees". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ "Thunbergia atriplicifolia E.Mey". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Kamundi, D. A. (2006). "Natal Primrose". National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2020.1. South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Retrieved 12 August 2021.
- ^ Huntley, B.J. (January 1972). "A note on food preferences of a steenbok". South African Journal of Wildlife Research. 2 (1): 24–26. hdl:10520/AJA03794369_2791. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
- ^ Manning, John C.. (2013). Field guide to wild flowers of South Africa. Cape Town: Random House Struik. p. 278. ISBN 9781920544874.
- ^ "Thunbergia atriplicifolia E. Mey. ex Nees". www.worldfloraonline.org. Retrieved 2 February 2022.