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Merremia kentrocaulos
creeping forb with long slender stems and broad heavily dissected leaves, petals forming showy cream coloured trumpets, about 4cm diameter, with a maroon base surrounding the cream coloured stamens/stigma. Can form dense mats up to 2 or 3 m across, often seen in roadside vegetation. The typical Convolvulaceae family seed capsules mature to a shiny brown and the valves open completely to produce a dry flat star shaped structure bearing the seeds at its centre. (old seed capsule beside flower in photo 1)
prefers sandy soils, region experiences hot wet summers (av. annual rainfall 500mm) and cool dry winters
woodrose is a nice common name for Merremias although I haven't heard it applied locally to the Botswana species
Spotted on Mar 16, 2012
Submitted on Nov 17, 2012
2 Comments
Thanks for that observation acapdryer, I'll edit my details
Spelling of name incorrect. It should be Merremia kentrocaulos.