Home | > | List of families | > | Rubiaceae | > | Vangueria | > | esculenta |
Synonyms: |
var. glabra S. Moore |
Common names: | Chirinda wild medlar (English) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Shrub or small tree. Leaves elliptic to ovate, thinly textured, covered in short hairs on both surfaces, sometimes almost hairless, fine net-veining distinct. Flowers in small clusters, whitish, yellow or pale green, c. 10 mm in diameter. Fruit in pendulous clusters, subspherical, c. 2.5 cm in diameter, green to yellowish brown when ripe. |
Notes: | Note: In Zimbabwe it is mainly known from the Chirinda Forest. Records from elsewhere are scattered and rare. |
Derivation of specific name: | esculenta: edible |
Habitat: | In evergreen forest. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 1100 - 1800 m |
Flowering time: | Oct |
Worldwide distribution: | Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Mpumalanga, South Africa |
Zimbabwe distribution: | E |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Saturday 31 January 2009 |
Literature: |
Bridson, D.M. (1998). Rubiaceae, Part 2 Flora Zambesiaca 5(2) Pages 253 - 254. Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 934. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 57. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 276. 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 74. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 99. Steedman, E.C. (1933). Some Trees, Shrubs and Lianes of Southern Rhodesia. Page 82. (Includes a picture). Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 224. |
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