| Synonyms: |
Maerua rigida R. Br. var. buxifolia Welw. ex Oliv. |
| Common names: | |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Small woody shrub up to 2 m tall with stiff rigid branches. Leaves clustered on dwarf side shoots or occasionally also alternate, simple, obovate, up to 2 cm long, grey-green, leathery; petiole and leaves entirely glabrous; margin entire. Flowers solitary or in pairs on the side shoots. Sepals green; petals present but very small, white; stamens 15-25, c. 1.5 cm long. Fruit bean-like, pendulous, c. 5 cm long, somewhat constricted between the seeds. |
| Type location: |
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| Notes: | Note: generally very similar to M. parvifolia, is distinguished by the leaves and petioles being entirely without hairs or papillae. |
| Derivation of specific name: | |
| Habitat: | Occurring in hot and dry mopane and mixed woodland. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Southern Angola, Zimbabwe. |
| FZ divisions: | N,C |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Literature: |
Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 238. 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 32. Wild, H. (1960). Capparaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(1) Pages 225 - 226. |