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Tragia durbanensis

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Stinging nettle creeper
T. durbanensis from Athlone Park, Amanzimtoti, South Africa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Tragia
Species:
T. durbanensis
Binomial name
Tragia durbanensis
Synonyms

See text

Tragia durbanensis, the stinging nettle creeper, is a twining herb in the family Euphorbiaceae,[1] with a restricted distribution in southern Africa.[2]

Distribution and habitat

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It is native to the coastal areas of Mozambique and eastern coastal areas of South Africa.[1] These plants are found in dune forest,[3] in woodland and on forest margins.[1]

Description

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A much-branched climbing perennial herb, with twining stems up to 2.5 m originating from a woody rootstock.[4] The leaves are hairless or thinly hairy with serrated margins.[1] The hairs sting fiercely.[1] Inflorescences are up to 5.5 cm long with peduncles up to 2 cm long.[4] The inflorescences are composed mostly of tiny[1] male flowers with 1–2 female flowers below or else all male.[4]

Synonyms

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  • Tragia capensis E.Mey. ex Sond. [Illegitimate name]
  • Tragia glabrata (Müll.Arg.) Pax & K.Hoffm. [Illegitimate name]
  • Tragia glabrata var. hispida Radcl.-Sm.
  • Tragia meyeriana var. glabrata Müll.Arg.

Ecological significance

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This species is one of the larval foodplants of four species of butterfly; Eurytela hiarbas, Eurytela dryope, Byblia ilithyia and Byblia anvatara.[5]

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to Wild Flowers; KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. ISBN 0-620-21500-3.
  2. ^ Swaziland's Flora Database: Tragia glabrata (Müll.Arg.) Pax & K.Hoffm. var. glabrata: http://www.sntc.org.sz/flora/speciesinfo.asp?spid=1670, retrieved 1 March 2011.
  3. ^ JSTOR PLANT SCIENCE: Entry for Tragia glabrata var. glabrata [family EUPHORBIACEAE]: http://plants.jstor.org/flora/fz7111, retrieved 1 March 2011.
  4. ^ a b c JSTOR PLANT SCIENCE: Entry for Tragia glabrata Müll. Arg. Pax & K. Hoffm. [family EUPHORBIACEAE]: http://plants.jstor.org/flora/fz7110, retrieved 1 March 2011.
  5. ^ Williams, M. (1994). Butterflies of Southern Africa; A Field Guide. Southern Book Publishers. ISBN 1-86812-516-5.