Back to Biodiversity Explorer main pageGo to Iziko Museums of Cape Town home pageAbout Biodiversity Explorer - history, goals, etc.Send us your questions about southern African biodiversityPeople who have contributed content and images.Search Biodiversity Explorer

Genus: Spermacoce

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) >  Eudicotyledons >  Core Eudicots >  Asterids >  Euasterid I > Order: Gentianales >  Family: Rubiaceae

About 100 species worldwide, with five species native to southern Africa.

Species native to southern Africa

List from Plants of Southern Africa - an Online Checklist (SANBI).

Spermacoce deserti

 

Spermacoce natalensis

 

Spermacoce quadrisulcata

 

Spermacoce senensis

 

Spermacoce subvulgata

 

Herbivores in southern Africa

Hippotion osiris (Large Striped Hawkmoth)

Caterpillar recorded eating the leaves of Spermacoce natalensis.

Lepidoptera: Sphingidae (hawkmoths)

 

  Publications

  • Verdcourt, B. 1976. Flora of Tropical East Africa. Rubiaceae (part 1): 1-414.

  • Verdcourt, B. 1989. Rubiaceae. Flora Zambesiaca 5,1: 1-210.

 

Contact us if you can contribute information or images to improve this page.

Biodiversity Explorer home   Iziko home   Search