Gynandropsis gynandra
cat's-whiskers
petiole 3.5–4.5(–8) cm, glandular-pubescent;
leaflet blade oblanceolate to rhombic, 2.5–4.5 × 1.2–2.5 cm, margins serrulate-denticulate, apex acute, surfaces glabrate to glandular-pubescent.
5–20 cm (10–40 cm in fruit);
bracts trifoliate, 10–25 mm.
purple, 8–15 mm, glabrous.
sepals green, lanceolate, 3.5–5 × 0.8–1.2 mm, glandular-pubescent;
petals purple or white, oblong to ovate, 7–14 × 3–4 mm;
stamens purple, 8–30 mm;
anthers 1–2 mm;
gynophore purple, 10–14 mm in fruit;
ovary 6–10 mm;
style 1–1.2 mm.
45–95 × 3–4 mm, glandular-pubescent.
reddish brown to black, 1.4–1.6 × 1–1.2 mm, rugose to tuberculate.
= 34, 36.
Gynandropsis gynandra
The C4 photosynthetic pathway has been reported from Gynandropsis gynandra (S. K. Imbamba and L. T. Tieszen 1977). This species is sometimes grown as an ornamental. B. S. Barton (1836, p. 317) provided a detailed and accurate illustration of the flower, obviously drawn from life; this indicates that the species was cultivated (perhaps escaped) in Pennsylvania at that time. In some tropical countries, it is cultivated as a potherb (K. Waithaka and Chweya 1991; J. A. Chweya and N. A. Mnzava 1997). It is also used medicinally. The fresh plant has a peculiar odor that is sometimes described as similar to burning Cannabis.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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