Ziziphus mucronata Willd.
subsp. rhodesica R.B. Drumm.

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Chitengo Camp, Gorongosa National Park

Photo: Sune Holt
Vilankulo, Inhambane, Mozambique

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

Synonyms:
Common names:	Buffalo thorn (English)
Frequency:	Common
Status:	Native
Description:	Small to medium-sized tree, armed with distinct pairs of hooked and straight spines. Leaves broadly ovate, markedly asymmetric, 3-veined from the base; margin finely toothed. Flowers in axillary clusters, small, yellowish. Fruit a spherical drupe, reddish-brown when ripe.
Notes:	This subspecies is distinguished by the dense, pale rusty hairs, particularly on the underside of the leaves.
Derivation of specific name:	mucronata: mucronate; with a short narrow point, projecting from the apex of the leaves; rhodesica: of Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Habitat:	Brachystegia woodland, particularly in areas of higher rainfall. Often on termite mounds.
Altitude range:
Flowering time:	Nov - Feb
Worldwide distribution:	Botswana, Namibia-Caprivi, DRC (Katanga), southern Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Mozambique distribution:	N,Z,T,MS,GI
Growth form(s):	Tree.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Tuesday 22 July 2014
Literature:	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 98. Drummond, R.B. (1966). Rhamnaceae Flora Zambesiaca 2(2) Page 423. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 257. Drummond, R.B. (1981). Common Trees of the Central Watershed Woodlands of Zimbabwe. Natural Resources Board, Harare. Pages 132 - 133. (Includes a picture). Drummond, R.B. & Coates Palgrave, K. (1973). Common Trees of the Highveld Longman, Rhodesia Pages 81 - 83. (Includes a picture). 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 70. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 86. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 96.

Other sources of information about Ziziphus mucronata subsp. rhodesica:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Ziziphus mucronata subsp. rhodesica
Flora of Caprivi: Ziziphus mucronata subsp. rhodesica
Flora of Zambia: Ziziphus mucronata subsp. rhodesica
Flora of Zimbabwe: Ziziphus mucronata subsp. rhodesica

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Ziziphus mucronata
African Plant Database: Ziziphus mucronata
Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Ziziphus mucronata
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Ziziphus mucronata
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Ziziphus mucronata
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Ziziphus mucronata
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Ziziphus mucronata
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Ziziphus mucronata
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network): Ziziphus mucronata
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Ziziphus mucronata
JSTOR Plant Science: Ziziphus mucronata
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Ziziphus mucronata
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Ziziphus mucronata
The Plant List (version 1.1): Ziziphus mucronata
Tropicos: Ziziphus mucronata