Amorphophallus bequaertii (Araceae)
Tuber globose to broadly elliptic (‘oval’), 3-6 x 2-3.5 cm, surface rough to scaly, roots accumulated at the base of the peduncle, not forming offsets; roots velvety. LEAF developing after the inflorescence, 30-90 cm high. Petiole 18-60 cm long, 0.5-1.5 cm in diameter, with small darker spots, smooth. Blade at least 20-30 cm in diameter, main segments divided 1-2 times; only rachis of highest division (terminal) order leaflets winged (‘ohrförmig geflügelt’), main veins on the underside raised reddish brown, basal leaflets broadly elliptic (‘oval’). Terminal leaflets elongate-broadly elliptic (‘länglish-oval’), broadly elliptic (‘oval’) and often assymetric to broadly elliptic (‘oval’), 6-15 x 2-3 cm; distinctly acuminate with a 1-1.5 cm long tip; margin smooth to slightly undulate. Cataphylls 3(-4), long acute triangular, the inner one 20-26 x 2.5-3.5 cm, the others distinctly shorter, membranous, with broadly elliptic (‘oval’) to irregularly-shaped brownish spots, veins raised dark. INFLORESCENCE erect, developing before the leaf, 58-113 cm high; peduncle 43-88 x 0.7-1 cm, smooth, probably uniformly coloured. Spathe 12-15 cm long; erect; arranged into a tube and a short, triangular, open limb without a clear constriction. Tube 7-8 x 2.2-3.5 cm, ± cylindrical, base somewhat bulging (‘bauchig’); inside basally with scattered, 1-2 mm long, hair-like emergences. Open limb erect, one side shortly, acutely and triangularly attenuating, 5-7 cm long, margin smooth. Spadix sessile, erect, 14-21 cm long, maximum 1½ times as long as the spathe. Pistillate zone cylindrical, 1.9-2.5 x 1-1.4 cm, flowers very densely congested. Staminate zone slightly obconic to broadly elliptic (‘oval’), 1.9-2.2 x 1-1.5 cm, flowers very densely congested. Appendix erect, strung-out conical, 10-18 cm long, 1.2-1.6 cm in diameter (basally), smooth, slightly constricted above the staminate zone. Staminodes absent; sterile zone between pistillate and staminate zone absent; ratio of pistillate to staminate zone 1 : 1-1.13. Pistillate flowers 2.5-3 mm long; ovary ovoid (‘oval’), 2-2.2 x 1.5-2 mm, uni(-bi)locular; stigma sessile, circular, disc-shaped from the side, 1.5-2 x 0.5-1 mm, not lobed, papillose. Staminate flowers ca. 1 x 1 mm, 5-6 stamens forming one flower; anthers free, 1 x 0.5-0.7 mm, ± cubical; filaments short, 0.2-0.5 mm long, united at the base; connective distinctly channelled; pores apical ,one pore per theca visible. INFRUCTESCENCE unknown. Pollen unknown.
This species is the Central African relative of A. calabaricus, particularly of the subspecies mayoi. Both species are closely linked and differ essentially in the shape of the stigma and the number of locules in the ovary. The shape of the spathe also differs a bit; the separation of both species needs, dispite being closely related, to be upheld. A. hetterscheidii differs from A. bequaertii in shape of the style and stigma, and is also to be considered as closely related. De Wildeman (1921-22) called A. flavovirens (= A. baumannii) closely related. In the wide sense this is easily justifiable (see A. baumannii). Basal inner side of the spathe with hair-like emergences; Stigma disciform from the side.
Endemic in East Zaire, eastern zone of the Guinean-Congolese region
In primary forests