Coptosperma zygoon (Bridson) Degreef

Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (4)

Photo: Bart Wursten
Garura section of Mazowe River Game Reserve, Maramba CL, across Mazowe River from Hippo Pools

Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:	Hypobathrum graveolens (Hiern) Baill. Tarenna zygoon Bridson Zygoon graveolens Hiern
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Deciduous, often multi-stemmed, shrub, 0.5–3 m tall; lateral branches reduced to dwarf shoots called brachyblasts up to 1 cm long. Leaves along young stems linear-oblong, those clustered on brachyblasts narrowly to broadly elliptic, 1.4–4.2 cm long, papery, finely pubescent beneath, more densely on the veins, domatia present as small hairy tufts; petiole 2–5 mm long, stipules 2–3 mm long, triangular-acuminate. Inflorescences sessile on the brachyblasts in dense, 3–8-flowered clusters. Corolla creamy-white, hairy at throat; lobes narrowly oblong, 3–4 mm long, obtuse. Style pubescent. Fruit globose, c. 5 mm in diameter, crowned by persistent calyx rim, black when dry.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat:	In mixed deciduous woodland, mopane woodland and Androstachys thickets, in sandy soil and often on seasonally dry river banks.
Altitude range:	100 - 780 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Limpopo, South Africa.
Mozambique distribution:	T,MS,GI
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Bridson, D.M. & Verdcourt, B. (2003). Rubiaceae, Part 3 Flora Zambesiaca 5(3) Pages 610 - 612. (Includes a picture). Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 1014. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 54. As Tarenna zygoon Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Page 1047. 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 100. Degreef, J., De Block, P., & Robbrecht, E. (2002). A survey of continental African Coptosperma (Rubiaceae, Pavetteae). Syst. Geogr. Pl. 71 Page 381. (Includes a picture). Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 275. As Zygoon graveolens 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 71. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 88.

Other sources of information about Coptosperma zygoon:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Coptosperma zygoon
Flora of Zambia: Coptosperma zygoon
Flora of Zimbabwe: Coptosperma zygoon

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Coptosperma zygoon
African Plant Database: Coptosperma zygoon
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Coptosperma zygoon
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Coptosperma zygoon
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Coptosperma zygoon
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Coptosperma zygoon
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Coptosperma zygoon
JSTOR Plant Science: Coptosperma zygoon
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Coptosperma zygoon
Plants of the World Online: Coptosperma zygoon
Tropicos: Coptosperma zygoon
Wikipedia: Coptosperma zygoon