Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) W.T. Aiton
subsp. rostratus (N.E. Br.) Goyder & Nicholas

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Gomphocarpus fruticosus subsp. rostratus

Photo: Brian Rode
Ngamiland Concession 22 - Vumbura, Okavango Delta

Photo: Brian Rode
Ngamiland Concession 15 - Linyanti

Photo: Petra Ballings
Entrance road to Nkasa Lupale N.P.

Photo: Bart Wursten
D3508 Kalimbeza rd

Photo: Bart Wursten
Entrance road to Nkasa Lupale N.P.

Photo: Bart Wursten
D3508 Kalimbeza rd

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:	Asclepias rostrata N.E. Br. Gomphocarpus rostratus (N.E. Br.) Bullock
Common names:
Frequency:	Frequent
Status:	Native
Description:	See subsp. fruticosus for general details. This subspecies differs in the much longer, rostrate apical point on the fruit. Although the fruit can be covered in bristles like in subsp. fruticosus they are often nearly absent in this subspecies.
Notes:	The listing as near-threatened due to habitat degradation (Golding, 2002:75) seems incorrect as this is a common and almost weedy species, often along rodasides or in disturbed places.
Derivation of specific name:	rostratus: beaked, referring to the long apical point on the fruit.
Habitat:	Grassland, riverbeds and roadsides, mostly in disturbed areas.
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Angola, Botswana, Namibia (including the Caprivi Strip) and Zambia.
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:	Lower Risk - near threatened
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Friday 2 March 2018
Literature:	Bruyns, P.V. (2014). The Apocynaceae of Namibia Strelitzia 34 SANBI, Pretoria, South Africa Pages 49 - 50. Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Namibia Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 75. As Gomphocarpus rostratus Goyder, D.J., Gilbert, M.G. & Venter, H.J.T. (2020). Apocynaceae (Part 2) Flora Zambesiaca 7(2) Pages 291 - 295. (Includes a picture). Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 73. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 27.

Other sources of information about Gomphocarpus fruticosus subsp. rostratus:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Gomphocarpus fruticosus subsp. rostratus
Flora of Zambia: Gomphocarpus fruticosus subsp. rostratus

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Gomphocarpus fruticosus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Gomphocarpus fruticosus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Gomphocarpus fruticosus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Gomphocarpus fruticosus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Gomphocarpus fruticosus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Gomphocarpus fruticosus
JSTOR Plant Science: Gomphocarpus fruticosus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Gomphocarpus fruticosus
Plants of the World Online: Gomphocarpus fruticosus
Tropicos: Gomphocarpus fruticosus
Wikipedia: Gomphocarpus fruticosus