Olax obtusifolia De Wild.

Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (7)

Photo: Ian Riddell
Chizarira National Park

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:
Common names:	Large-fruited olax (English)
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Shrub or small tree with a rounded crown. Leaves ovate to elliptic, dull light green, thinly textured, hairless, apex broadly tapering to rounded. Flowers in small axillary clusters, rarely solitary, creamy-white. Fruit a spherical drupe, c. 2.5 cm in diameter, yellow-orange when ripe.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	obtusifolia: with leaves obtuse (rounded, not pointed at the apex).
Habitat:	In hot and dry woodland.
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:	Oct - Nov
Worldwide distribution:	Katanga, DRC, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe distribution:	N,C
Growth form(s):	Tree, shrub over 2 m.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:	Hypolycaena caeculus caeculus (Food plant)
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Images last updated:	Saturday 9 November 2019
Literature:	Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 109. (Includes a picture). Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Page 196. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 235. Garcia, J.G. (1963). Olacaceae Flora Zambesiaca 2(1) Pages 332 - 334. Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1967). The influence of copper content of the soil on trees and shrubs of Molly South Hill, Mangula Kirkia 6(1) Pages 63 - 84. 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 65. Strugnell, A.M. (2006). A Checklist of the Spermatophytes of Mount Mulanje, Malawi Scripta Botanica Belgica 34 National Botanic Garden of Belgium Page 128.

Other sources of information about Olax obtusifolia:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Olax obtusifolia
Flora of Mozambique: Olax obtusifolia
Flora of Zambia: Olax obtusifolia

External websites:

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