Lepidagathis sessilifolia (Pohl) Kameyama ex Wassh. & J.R.I.Wood

Authority

Wasshausen, Dieter C. & Wood, John R. I. 2004. Acanthaceae of Bolivia. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 49: 1-152.

Family

Acanthaceae

Scientific Name

Lepidagathis sessilifolia (Pohl) Kameyama ex Wassh. & J.R.I.Wood

Type

Lophostachys sessilifolia Pohl, PI. bras. 11:96, f. 163. 1831. Type: "Brazil, Goyaz", fl. Pohl 5006 (holotype W, photo NY, SPF, photo US, isotype M). Lophostachys pubiflora Lindau, Bull. Herb. Boiss., ser. I, 5:655. 1897. Type: Brazil, Mato Grosso, Santa Cruz da Barra, Lindman A3157 (holotype B, destroyed; F Photo 8691; isotype S).

Description

Description - Herb or subshrub 35-60 cm; stems quadrangular, sparsely pilose to glabrate; leaves subsessile, blades broadly elliptic to obovate, 10-16 x 5-7.5 cm, glabrous; inflorescence of terminal, densely bracteate, second, pedunculate, dichasiate spikes; bracts anisophyllous, sterile bracts green, ovate, margin ciliate, fertile bracts red, 15 x 8 mm, margin entire; bracteoles green, apically rose-colored, ovate, 16 x 5 mm, puberulous; calyx 4-lobed, posterior lobe ovate, 23 x 12 mm, puberulous, green, apically rose-colored, anterior lobe ovate, 17 x 10 mm, apically 2-dentate, lateral lobes lanceolate, hyaline, 12 x 1.5 mm, margin ciliate; corolla rose-colored, villose-puberulous, tube 27 mm long, bent inwards, throat slightly enlarged. limb glabrate, reddish-brown, 2-lipped, lower lip 3-lobed. lobes divided to base, 4 mm long, upper lip 4 x 3.5 mm, apically emarginate.

Phenology - Flowers during the rainy season from January to May.