Home | > | List of families | > | Icacinaceae | > | Cassinopsis | > | ilicifolia |
Synonyms: |
Cassine ilicifolia Hochst. Cassinopsis capensis Sond. Hartogia ilicifolia Hochst. |
Common names: | Lemon-thorn (English) Spiny cassinopsis (English) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Somewhat scrambling shrub or small tree armed with scattered straight spines. Leaves opposite, narrowly ovate, up to 6 × 2.5 cm, shiny green above, paler and dull green below, fairly thinly textured, hairless; margin with a few scattered sharp teeth. Flowers in compact axillary heads opposite the spines, white or creamy-green, 7 mm in diameter. Fruit more or less ovoid, c. 13 mm long, smooth, somewhat fleshy, bright orange-red when ripe. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | ilicifolia: with leaves like an Ilex (Aquifoliaceae). |
Habitat: | Along margins of evergreen forest and stream banks. |
Altitude range: (metres) | |
Flowering time: | Sep - Nov |
Worldwide distribution: | Zimbabwe and South Africa as far as Eastern Cape. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | E |
Growth form(s): | Tree, shrub over 2 m. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Sunday 1 February 2009 |
Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 12. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 256. 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 54. Mendes, E.J. (1963). Icacinaceae Flora Zambesiaca 2(1) Pages 341 - 342. (Includes a picture). |
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