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Synonyms: |
Morella pilulifera (Rendle) Killick |
Common names: | Broad-leaved waxberry (English) Nyamvura (Shona) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Shrub or small tree. Leaves elliptic to obovate, usually c. 7 × 3 cm, yellowish-green, leathery, velvety when young, becoming glabrescent later, lateral veins ridged, Y-shaped near the margin; margin entire or coarsely serrate. Flowers in catkin-like inflorescences, sexes separate on the same tree or on different trees. Fruit in dense clusters of small brown to black berries along the branches, c. 4-5 mm in diameter, spherical, coated in waxy substance. |
Type location: |
Malawi |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | pilulifera: bearing small balls, glands or globular structures; probably referring to the fruit |
Habitat: | Near streams, among rocks, on grassy hills and along the margins of forest. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 1050 - 2070 m |
Flowering time: | Jul - Sep |
Worldwide distribution: | Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and South Africa as far as the KwaZulu-Natal |
National distribution: | W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | Tree, shrub over 2 m. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Saturday 23 September 2006 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 64. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 39. Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Page 124. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 233. As Myrica pilulifera 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 63. Polhill, R.M. & Verdcourt, B. (2006). Myricaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(3) Pages 260 - 261. Steedman, E.C. (1933). Some Trees, Shrubs and Lianes of Southern Rhodesia. Page 3. as Myrica pilulifera Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Page 125. Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 96. |
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