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<big>''[[Dichostemma glaucescens]]'' Pierre</big>

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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Dichostemma glaucescens'' (PROTA)}}

:Protologue: Bull. Mens. Soc. Linn. Paris 2(159): 1260 (1896).

:Family: Euphorbiaceae

== Origin and geographic distribution ==

A preliminary test showed that the leaves are rich in tannins.

Monoecious, small, slender tree up to 13 m tall; twigs glabrous, with abundant latex. Leaves alternate, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole 7–12 mm long; blade elliptical-oblong to lanceolate, 8–19 cm × 2.5–8 cm, base cuneate, apex acuminate, firmly papery to leathery, glabrous, glossy green above, glaucous beneath, pinnately veined with 6–8 pairs of lateral veins. Inflorescence a terminal, pyramidal, loose panicle up to 40 cm long, with powder-like indumentums, branches terminating in a group of 3 flower clusters enclosed by 2 deeply concave bracts, soon falling, leaving conspicuous scars; each flower cluster with cup-like, 4-angled, glandular involucre c. 2.5 mm long, containing 5–10 male flowers, sometimes also with a female flower. Flowers unisexual; male flowers reduced to a single, jointed stamen; female flowers reduced to a stalked ovary, usually 4-celled, with 4 styles fused at base, notched or shortly 2-fid at apex. Fruit a 4-lobed capsule 2.5–3.5 cm in diameter, depressed, appressed hairy with brown to dull purple hairs, 4-seeded. Seeds ellipsoid to almost globose, c. 11 mm in diameter, smooth, brown.

''Dichostemma'' comprises 2 species, which both occur in tropical Africa.

== Ecology ==

* Terashima, H., Ichikawa, M. & Sawada, M., 1988. Wild plant utilization of the Balese and the Efe of the Ituri Forest, the Republic of Zaire. African Study Monographs, Supplement 8. The Center for African Area Studies, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. 78 pp.

== Author(s) ==

== Correct citation of this article ==

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