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Uvariastrum hexaloboides is a species of plant in the Annonaceae family. It is native to Tanzania, Zambia and Zaire.[2] Robert Elias Fries, the botanist who first formally described the species using the basionym Uvaria hexaloboides, named it after a different species Hexalobus monopetalus which he thought its flowers and vegetative parts resembled.[3]

Uvariastrum hexaloboides
Scientific illustration of Uvariastrum hexaloboides
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Magnoliids
Order:	Magnoliales
Family:	Annonaceae
Genus:	Uvariastrum
Species:	U. hexaloboides
Binomial name
Uvariastrum hexaloboides (R.E.Fr.) R.E.Fr. ex N.Robson
Synonyms
Uvaria hexaloboides R.E.Fr.

Description

It is a tree reaching 15 meters in height. The young, brown branches are densely hairy, but become hairless and dark brown with maturity. Its narrowly elliptical to egg-shaped, leathery leaves are 6-13 by 2.4-5 centimeters. The leaves have wedge-shaped to rounded bases and tapering tips, with the tapering portion 1-2 centimeters long. The tips of the leaves have a shallow notch. The leaves are hairless on their dark green upper surface and sparsely hairy on their lighter green lower surfaces. The leaves have 9-14 pairs of secondary veins emanating from their midribs. Its petioles are 0.1-0.3 millimeters long, and covered in dense red-brown hairs, with a broad groove on their upper side. Its solitary or paired Inflorescences occur on branches and sometimes the trunk. Each inflorescence has 1 flower. Each flower is on a densely hairy pedicel that is 0.5-6 by 1-2 millimeters. The pedicels have 1-2 oval, basal bracts that are 2-7 by 3-6 millimeters and densely hairy. Its flowers have 3 oval sepals that are 0.9-1.5 by 0.7 by 1.8 centimeters. The sepals are densely hairy on both surfaces, and hairier at their margins which are slightly folded. Its 6 petals are arranged in two rows of 3. The yellow to green-yellow, elliptical, outer petals are 2–3.5 by 1-1.4 centimeters with densely hairy upper and lower surfaces. The yellow to green-yellow, oval inner petals are 1–2.5 by 0.8-1.5 centimeters with densely hairy upper and lower surfaces. The flowers have numerous stamens that are 3 by 0.5 millimeters. The flowers have up to 10-14 carpels that are 3 millimeters long, and densely hairy. The carpels have bilobed stigma. The fruit occur in clusters of 1–5 on sparsely hairy pedicles that are 0.5-2 by 2-5 centimeters. The red, hairless, oblong fruit are 2.5-6 by 2-2.5 centimeters. Each fruit has up to 6-10 dark brown, elliptical seeds that are 15-20 by 8-12 by 6-8 millimeters.[4]

Reproductive biology

The pollen of Uvariastrum hexaloboides is shed as permanent tetrads.[5]

Distribution and habitat

It has been observed growing rocky or red sandy loam soil in woodlands at altitudes between 1000 and 1600 meters.[4]

Uses

It has been described as being used as a source of edible fruit in Zambia.[6]

References

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