Afrohybanthus Flicker - Spade flowers

Herbs, subshrubs or shrubs. Stipules entire, subulate and glandular. Leaves simple, alternate or opposite; base cuneate. Flowers solitary, axillary. Flowers zygomorphic. Sepals 5, almost equal. Petals 5, unequal, the anterior petal usually much larger than the others, spurred and unguiculate. Fruit a loculicidal capsule with 3 valves, keeled along the suture. Seeds spherical-ovoid with a small aril.

Derivation of name: The name refers to the centre of species diversity (Africa) of this group of species that were split off a formerly more broadly defined genus (Hybanthus). The English name, Spade flower, refers to the spade-like shape of the largest petal.

Comment: This genus was split from the formerly broadly defined genus Hybanthus which is no longer present in Africa.

Worldwide: c. 25 species in tropical subtropical Africa, Madagascar, Asia and Australia.

Malawi: 1 taxon.