Citharexylum spinosum L.

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Citharexylum spinosum

Photo: Mark Hyde
Garden, Harry Pichanick Dr., Harare

Citharexylum spinosum

Photo: Bart Wursten
La Rochelle

Citharexylum spinosum

Photo: Bart Wursten
La Rochelle

Citharexylum spinosum

Photo: Bart Wursten
La Rochelle

Citharexylum spinosum

Photo: Bart Wursten
La Rochelle

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

Synonyms: Citharexylum fruticosum L.
Citharexylum quadrangulare Jacq.
Common names: Fiddlewood (English) Lady chancellor tree (English)
Frequency: Rare
Status: Introduced
Description:
Unarmed (despite the specific name), dioecious, shrub or tree to 15 m. Leaves opposite; petiole characteristically reddish-brown; lamina elliptic, glossy above; apex acute; base cuneate; lamina typically dull orange-brown in winter (Jun to Aug). Flowers white. Fruit spherical, 7-10 mm in diameter red to black.
Notes: This species is included as a naturalised species on the strength of two specimens found in mainly exotic woodland in Mandara, Harare.

We have followed Méndez, I. (2001) in treating C. fruticosum as a synonym of C. spinosum. This is supported by The Plantlist (2013), Version 1.1. However, it should be noted that in FZ 8(7), p. 7, only Citharexylum fruticosum is named as a cultivated species occurring in the FZ area
Derivation of specific name: spinosum: spiny (a misnomer in this case).
Habitat: Very commonly cultivated in gardens; male trees are much more commonly planted than female trees. Rarely naturalised in woodland.
Altitude range: (metres) 1520 m
Flowering time:Dec-Mar
Worldwide distribution: Native to the Caribbean and northern South America.
Zimbabwe distribution: C
Growth form(s): Tree.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated: Sunday 24 August 2008
Literature:

Fernandes, R. (2005). Verbenaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(7) Page 7. As Citharexylum fruticosum


Other sources of information about Citharexylum spinosum:

Our websites:

Flora of Mozambique: cultivated Citharexylum spinosum
Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Citharexylum spinosum

External websites:

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


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: Citharexylum spinosum.
https://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=162340, retrieved 28 March 2024

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