Emex australis Steinh.

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Emex australis

Photo: Tony Benn
Small park in Broadhurst, Extension 27, Gaborone.

Emex australis

Photo: Tony Benn
Small park in Broadhurst, Extension 27, Gaborone.

Emex australis

Photo: Tony Benn
Small park in Broadhurst, Extension 27, Gaborone.

Emex australis

Photo: Tony Benn
Small park in Broadhurst, Extension 27, Gaborone.

Emex australis

Photo: Tony Benn
Small park in Broadhurst, Extension 27, Gaborone.

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

Synonyms: Emex spinosa sensu Dinter
Common names: Cape spinach (English)
Frequency:
Status: Probably introduced
Description:
Much-branched erect or prostrate herb with a semi-woody rootstock. Stems up to 30 cm long, sometimes longer, grooved, hairless, green, often tinged red towards the base. Leaves ovate oblong, 3.5-6 cm long, truncate or slightly cordate at the base and more or less decurrent on the petiole; petiole 3-10 cm long, channelled. Flowers unisexual on the same plant, green with brownish midribs on the perianth segments. Male flowers in terminal and axillary pedunculate clusters; female flowers sessile. Fruit a 3-sided nut, 12-13 mm wide, including rigid spines at the corners.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: australis: southern
Habitat: Along roadsides and as a weed in wet disturbed places and irrigated fields.
Altitude range: (metres) Up to 1200 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Native Namibia and South Africa. Probably introduced to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana. Definitely introduced further North into East Africa, Madagascar, Australasia and USA.
Zimbabwe distribution: C,E
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Thursday 8 September 2016
Literature:

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 68.

Nogueira, I., Ortiz, S. & Paiva, J.A.R. (2006). Polygonaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(3) Pages 38 - 40. (Includes a picture).

Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 93.

Wild, H. (1955). Common Rhodesian Weeds Government of Rhodesia, Salisbury Page 18. (Includes a picture).


Other sources of information about Emex australis:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Emex australis
Flora of Mozambique: Emex australis

External websites:

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


Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2002-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Emex australis.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=121690, retrieved 28 March 2024

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