Petalidium coccineum
Petalidium coccineum S.Moore
Petalidium coccineum is a fast-growing shrub in the Acanthaceae family, native to northwestern Namibia and parts of Angola. It can reach a height of up to 2.5 m and is characterized by its red flowers and smooth, white bark. The species was first described in 1880 by S.Moore.
Description
Petalidium coccineum is a shrub found in the dry savannahs of Kaokoveld and Owamboland. Its flowers appear in short racemes up to 40 mm long, located in the leaf axils. The plant produces hygroscopic fruit capsules that, when moist, release two flat seeds in an explosive manner, a trait common to other species in the genus Petalidium.
Distribution
Angola · Namibia
Synonyms
Petalidium otavienseBarleria otaviensisPetalidium rubescensPseudobarleria coccinea
