Melhania randii is a plant in the mallow family Malvaceae, native to southern Africa. It is named for the English doctor and plant collector R.F. Rand (1856–1937).[2]
| Melhania randii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Melhania |
| Species: | M. randii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Melhania randii | |
Description
editMelhania randii grows as a small shrub 6–60 centimetres (2–24 in) tall, with several woody stems. The leaves are stellate tomentose and measure up to 9 cm (4 in) long. Inflorescences are typically one to three-flowered and feature yellow petals.[3]
Distribution and habitat
editMelhania randii is native to Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa (Northern Provinces), Eswatini, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.[1] Its numerous habitats include grassland and mountain summits. The discontinuous nature of the species' distribution has resulted in differences in plants from different colonies, such as Transvaal (now Northern Provinces) specimens being generally broader than their Zimbabwe counterparts.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b "Melhania randii". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ "Melhania randii". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
- ^ a b Verdoorn, I. C. (1981). "Revision of Melhania in southern Africa". Bothalia - African Biodiversity and Conservation. 13 (3, 4). Cape Town: AOSIS: 266–267. doi:10.4102/abc.v13i3/4.1315.
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