Lindernia monroi

Family / Families: Linderniaceae
Scientific Name(s): Lindernia monroi (S. Moore) Eb. Fisch.
Location(s): Camp Amalinda, Zimbabwe
Entry Author(s): Tamara Bonnemaison
Copyright Holder(s): zimbart@Flickr aka Bart Wursten
Image Permissions: Please contact the copyright holder for permission to use.
Photographer(s) Appreciation: The colours in the photographs (image 1 | image 2) that Bart Wursten (aka zimbart@Flickr) took on his vacation to the Matobo Hills of Zimbabwe are breathtaking. The subject: the delicate Lindernia monroi. Thank you Bart for posting these two photos to the Botany Photo of the Day Flickr Pool.
Tags: Lamiales, Linderniaceae, via Flickr, Zimbabwe

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Commonly known as Dongola snapdragon, Lindernia monroi is a rare but widespread annual herb found only in Zimbabwe. It grows to about 13cm in height, and has somewhat fleshy, crowded basal leaves. The pale pink to white snapdragon-like flowers are borne on long, slender pedicels. Lindernia monroi has a yellow palate, which is a projection on a tubular flower’s throat. In some instances, the palate closes off the corolla to unsuitable pollinators, while in other instances, the palate acts as a landing pad to desirable pollinators (and presumably could function as both). I was not able to find any information about specific pollinator relationships that this species may have.

Lindernia monroi is a poikilohydrous aquatic species, meaning that it has the ability to tolerate dehydration and recover with little physiological damage. It is found in small granitic depressions that are seasonally filled with water, growing alongside other species that have the ability to revive from desiccation. These types of species are sometimes referred to as resurrection plants, and the majority of Lindernia species may be described in this way. The Matobo Hills, where these two photos were taken, have an unusually varied and interesting granitic terrain, and Dongola snapdragon often grows on the inselbergs, or large individual vertical rocks, which are found in the area. The inselbergs act as islands in the landscape, creating many microclimates and generating high species diversity. This rich ecosystem, with a long history of cultural importance and use, has been designated as the Matobo Hills UNESCO World Heritage Area.