Basellaceae
Basella

Basella excavata Elliot

First published in J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 29: 44 (1891)
This species is accepted
The native range of this species is W. & S. Madagascar. It is a climbing subshrub and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome.

Descriptions

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation
Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: low confidence
[AERP]

Eriksson, R. (2007). A Synopsis of Basellaceae. Kew Bulletin, 62(2), 297-320. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/20443356

Type
Madagascar, Fort Dauphin, May, Scott Elliot 2635 (holotype K, photo GB'). Basella excavata f. pubescens H. Perrier (1950: 6), nom. inval. [ICBN 36.1 ].
Morphology General Habit
Twining vine
Morphology Stem
Stem glabrous, or sometimes puberulent when young
Morphology Leaves
Leaf blades 2.5 - 6.5 x 1 - 3 cm, narrowly ovate, at base attenuate, at apex ± acute
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences
Inflorescences up to 6 cm long, usually shorter, unbranched, with axis not thickened in fruit
Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracteoles
Bracteoles minute, triangular
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers
Flowers sunken into rachis, probably cleistogamous
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx
Sepals 2 - 3 x c. 1.5 mm, + equalling petals in length, ± erect and enclosing the rest of the flower, ovate to broadly elliptic, ± free from each other, at anthesis pink or reddish
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla
Petals 2 - 3 x c. 1 mm, ± erect, elliptic, connate c. 1/2 of their length, at anthesis pink or reddish
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens Anthers
Anthers orangish
Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Style
Styles 3
Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits
Fruit less than 1.5 mm in diam., tightly enclosed by persistent, thin and dry, probably often eventually disappearing perianth.
Distribution
Endemic to western and southern Madagascar
Ecology
Found in open areas at low altitudes.
Note
Basella excavata is distinguished from the closely related B. leandriana and B. madagascaniensis by its small flowers and fruits. It is incompletely known, like the other Madagascan species of Basella.
[KBu]

Sources

  • Angiosperm Extinction Risk Predictions v1

    • Angiosperm Threat Predictions
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

  • Herbarium Catalogue Specimens

    • Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  • Kew Bulletin

    • Kew Bulletin
    • http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0

  • Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

  • World Checklist of Vascular plants (WCVP)

    • The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Vascular Plants 2024. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and https://powo.science.kew.org/
    • © Copyright 2023 World Checklist of Vascular Plants. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0