Asystasia gangetica (L.) T.Anderson APNI* Synonyms: Asystasia gangetica subsp. micrantha (Nees) Ensermu APNI*
Description: Lightly pubescent perennial herb. Stems to 130 cm, procumbent and rooting or clambering.
Leaves 3–8 cm long, ovate, thin-textured, bright green.
Flowers borne in one-sided racemes to 10 cm long; corolla 3 cm long or slightly more, tubular -campanulate, exceeding calyx lobes, to 3 cm across at apex, lobes flaring, lavender pink, paler within.
Fruit 2.5 cm long.
Distribution and occurrence:
NSW subdivisions: *NC
Other Australian states: *Qld *W.A.
Two subspecies are sometimes recognised based on corolla size, A. gangetica subsp. gangetica and A. gangetica subsp. micrantha (Nees) Ensermu. Material in NSW is similar to the latter subspecies. However, these two subspecies are inadequate to describe the variation in this taxon, and are not recognised here. Pending further study Asystasia gangetica> is best described as a species complex.
Text by J. Everett and D. Crayn (2001); edited KL Wilson (May 2009) Taxon concept: R. Barker (Flora of Australia, Acanthaceae manuscript)
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