Description:
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Small shrub usually less than 1.5 m tall with stiffly erect branches. Leaves broadly ovate-oblong to obovate, 5-17 cm long, hairy on both surfaces, cordate at the base, midrib and veins very prominent beneath; margin serrate; petiole up to 7 cm long, golden hairy. Stipules linear-lanceolate, c. 1cm long, yellowish-hairy. Flowers in 3-8-flowered axillary heads, bisexual, white. Petals 8-12, obovate-oblong, c. 2 cm long, hairy on the back; margins wavy. Stamens very numerous. Fruit a globose capsule up to 4.5 cm in diameter, covered in spiny bristles up to 2 cm long, splitting into 3 valves. Seeds with a dark brown aril. |
Literature:
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Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 632. (Includes a picture).
Wild, H. (1960). Flacourtiaceae Flora Zambesiaca 1(1) Pages 267 - 268. (Includes a picture).
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