Home | > | List of families | > | Apocynaceae subfamilies Apocynoideae and Rauvolfioideae | > | Voacanga | > | africana |
Synonyms: |
Voacanga africana var. auriculata Pichon Voacanga angolensis Stapf ex Hiern Voacanga boehmii K. Schum. Voacanga lutescens Stapf Voacanga schweinfurthii Stapf |
Common names: | Small-fruited voacanga (English) |
Frequency: | Very rare in Zimbabwe. |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Shrub or small tree. Bark greyish, smooth; branches with conspicuous lenticels. Milky latex present. Leaves opposite with axillary glands, sessile, broadly elliptic to obovate, c. 15-17 cm long; apex rather abruptly and distinctly pointed. Flowers 3-4 cm in diameter, white, in large terminal and axillary heads, strongly and unpleasantly scented. Fruit asymmetrically ovoid to round, c. 5 cm long, mottled green with brown lenticels, turning pale brown when dry. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | africana: African |
Habitat: | In sandy soils along riverbanks and in mixed woodland. |
Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1850 m |
Flowering time: | Nov - Jan |
Worldwide distribution: | Widespread in tropical Africa and in the islands of the Gulf of Guinea. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | E |
Growth form(s): | Tree, shrub over 2 m. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | Critically Endangered |
Insects associated with this species: | Sthenias puncticornis (Uncertain) |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Sunday 23 November 2008 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 803. (Includes a picture). 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 27. Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 162. Leeuwenberg, A.J.M. & Kupicha, F.K. et al. (1985). Apocynaceae Flora Zambesiaca 7(2) Pages 435 - 437. (Includes a picture). 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 19. |
Home | > | List of families | > | Apocynaceae subfamilies Apocynoideae and Rauvolfioideae | > | Voacanga | > | africana |