Trichodesma zeylanicum (Burm. f.) R. Br.

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Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Mark Hyde
Mazvikadei Dam wall

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Mark Hyde
Mazvikadei Dam wall

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Pungwe River scout camp, Gorongosa National Park

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Pungwe River scout camp, Gorongosa National Park

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Pungwe River scout camp, Gorongosa National Park

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Pungwe River scout camp, Gorongosa National Park

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mana Pools, by main road to camp

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mana Pools, by main road to camp

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mana Pools, by main road to camp

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mana Pools, by main road to camp

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mana Pools, by main road to camp

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Lake Kyle Recreational Park

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Mark Hyde
Mukuvisi Woodland, near entrance gate

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Nhascuvo Ranger Camp, Gorongosa National Park

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Nhascuvo Ranger Camp, Gorongosa National Park

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Nhascuvo Ranger Camp, Gorongosa National Park

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Sune Holt
Machengue, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Sune Holt
Machengue, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Sune Holt
Machengue, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Sune Holt
Machengue, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Sune Holt
Machengue, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Sune Holt
Machengue, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Sune Holt
Machengue, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Hysteria Lane, Area 3, Lilongwe

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Hysteria Lane, Area 3, Lilongwe

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Hysteria Lane, Area 3, Lilongwe

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Hysteria Lane, Area 3, Lilongwe

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Hysteria Lane, Area 3, Lilongwe

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Hysteria Lane, Area 3, Lilongwe

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mussapa River at Nhabawa Village, Chimanimani National Conservation Area bufferzone

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mussapa River at Nhabawa Village, Chimanimani National Conservation Area bufferzone

Trichodesma zeylanicum

Photo: Bart Wursten
Mussapa River at Nhabawa Village, Chimanimani National Conservation Area bufferzone

Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps

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

Synonyms: Borago zeylanica Burm. f.
Common names: Late weed (English)
Frequency:
Status: Native
Description:
Densely bristly-hairy annual herb to 1 m. Leaves narrowly elliptic. Flowers becoming nodding, in terminal 1-sided bracteate inflorescences. Sepals bristly hairy, enlarging in fruit. Corolla 7-9 mm (shorter than our other Trichodesma spp.), scarcely exserted from the sepals; lobes pale blue to lilac or pinkish. Nutlets 4, smooth and shiny, usually mottled with grey and brown on the outer surface.
Type location:
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: zeylanicum: from Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
Habitat: A weedy species of roadsides, disturbed ground and old lands
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Tropics and subtropics of Old World; in Africa in east and southern Africa only
FZ divisions: N,C,S
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species: Utetheisa pulchella (Food plant)
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Monday 17 September 2018
Literature:

Baumann, G. (2005). Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of Malawi Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi Pages 120 - 121. (Includes a picture).

Brummitt, R.K. (1990). Trichodesma Flora Zambesiaca 7(4) Pages 95 - 96.

Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 38.

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 30.

Martins, E.S. (1990). Boraginaceae Flora Zambesiaca 7(4) Pages 95 - 96.

Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 76.

Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 36.

Pickering, H. & Roe, E. (2009). Wild Flowers of the Victoria Falls Area Helen Pickering, London Page 45. (Includes a picture).

Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 41.

Taton, A. (1971). Boraginaceae Flore du Congo du Rwanda et du Burundi Jardin Botanique National de Belgique Pages 37 - 39.

Wild, H. (1955). Common Rhodesian Weeds Government of Rhodesia, Salisbury Page 82. (Includes a picture).


Other sources of information about Trichodesma zeylanicum:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Trichodesma zeylanicum
Flora of Burundi: Trichodesma zeylanicum
Flora of the DRC: Trichodesma zeylanicum
Flora of Mozambique: Trichodesma zeylanicum
Flora of Rwanda: Trichodesma zeylanicum
Flora of Zambia: Trichodesma zeylanicum
Flora of Zimbabwe: Trichodesma zeylanicum

External websites:

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


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2014-26

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2026). Flora of Malawi: Species information: Trichodesma zeylanicum.
https://www.malawiflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=148460, retrieved 20 May 2026

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