Home | > | List of families | > | Annonaceae | > | Cleistochlamys | > | kirkii |
Synonyms: |
Popowia kirkii Benth. |
Common names: | Muhodzongwa (Shona) Mukorongwa (Shona) Mupodzongo (Shona) Purple cluster-pear (English) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Shrub or small tree, often straggling. Bark pale, flaking. Leaves alternate, narrowly oblong to obovate, 6-11 cm, shiny green and glabrous above, bluish-green and very sparsely pubescent below, thinly textured, apex rounded, often notched; margin wavy. Flowers solitary axillary, creamy-white, c. 1.2 cm in diameter, appearing after the leaves have fallen. Fruit a cluster of up to 10 cylindric carpels, c. 2.5 cm, purple-black when ripe, edible. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | kirkii: named after Dr John Kirk, who accompanied David Livingstone on his Zambezi expedition of 1858 |
Habitat: | On alluvium soils in hot and dry river valleys. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 900 m |
Flowering time: | Sep - Oct |
Worldwide distribution: | Southeastern Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | Tree, shrub over 2 m. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | Graphium antheus (Food plant) Graphium porthaon porthaon (Larval foodplant) |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Sunday 11 October 2020 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 120. (Includes a picture). Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Pages 204 - 205. 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 23. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 236. 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 17. Robson, N.K.B. (1960). Annonaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(1) Pages 120 - 121. (Includes a picture). Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Page 39. Van Wyk, B. & Van Wyk, P. (1997). Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Struik, South Africa Pages 156 - 157. (Includes a picture). |
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