Home | > | List of families | > | Violaceae | > | Rinorea | > | elliptica |
Synonyms: |
Alsodeia elliptica Oliv. |
Common names: | Red-fruited violet-bush (English) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Shrub or small tree. Leaves alternate, narrowly to broadly elliptic or ovate, 5-10 cm long, bright green, hairless, veining prominent on both surfaces, base rounded or somewhat cordate; margin finely dentate; petiole grooved along the top. Flowers axillary, in spike-like heads, white or salmon-pink, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, sweetly scented. petals often curved backwards. Fruit a small subspherical or 3-sided capsule with a sharp point, 6-7 mm long, red, hairless, splitting into 3 valves. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | elliptica: elliptic, oblong with rounded ends |
Habitat: | In the understorey of lowland forest. |
Altitude range: | |
Flowering time: | Oct - Nov |
Worldwide distribution: | Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe. |
Mozambique distribution: | N,Z,MS,GI |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | Acraea cuva cuva (Food plant) |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Content last updated: | Saturday 19 December 2015 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 625. (Includes a picture). Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 261. Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 169. 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 83. Robson, N.K.B. (1960). Violaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(1) Page 248. |
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