Landolphia mannii
Landolphi mannii is a liana within the Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae). It is commonly called Jungle chocolate or Malombo. Its fruit, with significant lipid and iron content is consumed by locals and it is also a part of the diet the Mandrillus sphinx.
| Landolphia mannii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Landolphia |
| Species: | L. mannii |
| Binomial name | |
| Landolphia mannii Dyer. | |
Description
This species is a climbing plant over 330 feet ("more than 100 meters") in length [1] with branches that are brown or grey in color and are marked by narrow fissures and have light lenticels.[2] Petioles are 4-13 mm long; leaflets are obovate to ovate in shape, glaucous, acuminate at the apex and acute at the base.[2] Terminal inflorescence with tendril-like features, cymes are dense and sometimes at the end of the tendril hooks, the tendril hooks can grow up to 7 cm long.[2] Peduncle grows up to 30 cm long; pedicels are commonly pubescent or pilose and are up to 5 mm long, anthers are 1.5 to 2.5 mm long.[2] It has scented flowers, its calyx is1.8-5 mm in width, corolla is white, yellow or creamy. Fruit is large and globose, yellow, red or orange colored with a smooth surface and scattered brown or greyish lenticel, size is 8 to 26 cm (3 to 10 inches) long. Flowers throughout the year.[2]
Distribution
Occurs along rivers in the rainforest areas of Central Africa, Southern Nigeria and Northern Angola.[2]
References
- Mackel, Roy P. Ph.D. (1987). A Living Dinosaur?. Leiden, Netherlands: E.J. Brill. pp. 289–290.
- Persoon, J. G. M (1992). The African species of Landolphia P. Beauv.: series of revisions of Apocynaceae XXXIV. Wageningen, Netherlands: Wageningen Agricultural University. pp. 132–136. ISBN 978-90-6754-234-0. OCLC 31208098.