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Emex australis
Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (5)
Photo: Tony Benn
Small park in Broadhurst, Extension 27, Gaborone.
Photo: Tony Benn
Small park in Broadhurst, Extension 27, Gaborone.
Photo: Tony Benn
Small park in Broadhurst, Extension 27, Gaborone.
Photo: Tony Benn
Small park in Broadhurst, Extension 27, Gaborone.
Photo: Tony Benn
Small park in Broadhurst, Extension 27, Gaborone.
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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)
| Synonyms: |
Emex spinosa sensu Dinter |
| Common names: | Cape spinach (English) |
| Frequency: | |
| Status: | Probably introduced |
| Description: |
Much-branched erect or prostrate herb with a semi-woody rootstock. Stems up to 30 cm long, sometimes longer, grooved, hairless, green, often tinged red towards the base. Leaves ovate oblong, 3.5-6 cm long, truncate or slightly cordate at the base and more or less decurrent on the petiole; petiole 3-10 cm long, channelled. Flowers unisexual on the same plant, green with brownish midribs on the perianth segments. Male flowers in terminal and axillary pedunculate clusters; female flowers sessile. Fruit a 3-sided nut, 12-13 mm wide, including rigid spines at the corners. |
| Notes: | |
| Derivation of specific name: | australis: southern |
| Habitat: | Along roadsides and as a weed in wet disturbed places and irrigated fields. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1200 m |
| Flowering time: | |
| Worldwide distribution: | Native Namibia and South Africa. Probably introduced to Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana. Definitely introduced further North into East Africa, Madagascar, Australasia and USA. |
| Zimbabwe distribution: | C,E |
| Growth form(s): | |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects associated with this species: | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Images last updated: | Thursday 8 September 2016 |
| Literature: |
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 68. Nogueira, I., Ortiz, S. & Paiva, J.A.R. (2006). Polygonaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(3) Pages 38 - 40. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 93. Wild, H. (1955). Common Rhodesian Weeds Government of Rhodesia, Salisbury Page 18. (Includes a picture). |
Other sources of information about Emex australis:
Our websites:
Flora of Botswana: Emex australisFlora of Mozambique: Emex australis
External websites:
African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Emex australisAfrican Plant Database: Emex australis
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Emex australis
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Emex australis
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Emex australis
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Emex australis
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Emex australis
JSTOR Plant Science: Emex australis
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Emex australis
Plants of the World Online: Emex australis
Tropicos: Emex australis
Wikipedia: Emex australis
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