Description : An erect, sometimes branched, slender, thinly pubescent herb with somewhat fleshy leaves and very long lax inflorescences; flowers rich purple; whole plant usually purplish, perennating by means of the fleshy swollen stem base. Tetraploid.
Habitat: in rocky savanna.
Distribution: C.: Sindou Adam 18173! Ghana: Damongo Scarp (fl. Sept., fr. Nov.) Rose Innes 366! Harris! Morton A1242! N. Nig.: Naraguta Lely 540! Jos Plateau Summerhayes 11! Kilba country, Yola Dalz. 101! Abinsi Dalz. 799! S. Nig.: Gawu Hills, Niger Prov. Onochie FHI 35722!
Notes: Specimens apparently intermediate with the type subspecies and subsp.
perennis occur.
[J.K. Morton
in Flora of West Tropical Africa, 2:
272. 1962]