Scutia myrtina (Burm. f.) Kurz

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve, Nanyuki, Kenya

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Synonyms:	Rhamnus myrtina Burm. f. Scutia commersonii Brongn. Scutia indica Brongn. var. oblongifolia Engl. Scutia myrtina (Burm. f.) Kurz var. oblongifolia (Engl.) Brenan
Common names:	Cat-thorn (English)
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Shrub or tree, usually somewhat scandent, armed with recurved prickles up to 9 mm long in the leaf axils. Leaves (sub)opposite, variable in shape and size, ovate or elliptic, rounded to pointed at the apex, hairless; margin entire to finely crenate; petiole 3-10 mm long. Flowers in condensed axillary clusters on a peduncle up to 7 mm long. Sepals 1.5-2 mm long, triangular; petals 1 mm long, deeply 2-lobed at the apex. Disk not lobed. Fruit obovoid to spherical, up to 8 mm in diameter, hairless. sometimes
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:	In evergreen forest and coastal scrub.
Altitude range:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	DRC, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Madagascar and India.
Mozambique distribution:	GI,M
Growth form(s):	Tree, shrub over 2 m.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:	Ericeia inangulata (Larval food plant)
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Wednesday 16 August 2017
Literature:	Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 550. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 50. Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Pages 669 - 670. 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 98. Dowsett-Lemaire, F. (1989). The flora and phytogeography of the evergreen forests of Malawi. I: Afromontane and mid-altitude forests; Bull. Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg. 59(1/2) Page 29. Drummond, R.B. (1966). Rhamnaceae Flora Zambesiaca 2(2) Pages 428 - 430. (Includes a picture). Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 257. 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 70. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 86. Schmidt, E., Lötter, M. & McCleland, W. (2002). Trees and shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park Jacana, Johannesburg, South Africa Pages 380 - 381. (Includes a picture). Siebert, S. & Mössmer, M. (Editors) (2002). SABONET Southern Mozambique Expedition 2001; Provisional Plant Checklist of the Maputo Elephant Reserve (MER) and Licuati Forest Reserve (LFR) SABONET News 7(1) Page 28. Van Wyk, B. & Van Wyk, P. (1997). Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Struik, South Africa Pages 350 - 351. (Includes a picture). Van Wyk, B. & Van Wyk, P. (2013). Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa (Second edition) Struik, South Africa Pages 412 - 413. (Includes a picture). White, F., Dowsett-Lemaire, F. & Chapman, J.D. (2001). Evergreen forest flora of Malawi Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Pages 442 - 446. (Includes a picture).

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Flora of Burundi: Scutia myrtina
Flora of Malawi: Scutia myrtina
Flora of Zambia: Scutia myrtina
Flora of Zimbabwe: Scutia myrtina

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Scutia myrtina
African Plant Database: Scutia myrtina
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EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Scutia myrtina
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Scutia myrtina
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iNaturalist: Scutia myrtina
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Scutia myrtina
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Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Scutia myrtina
Plants of the World Online: Scutia myrtina
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Wikipedia: Scutia myrtina