Bersama abyssinica explained

Bersama abyssinica is a species of medium-sized evergreen tree in the family Francoaceae. The leaves are pinnately divided with a strongly winged rachis (hence the common name winged bersama).^[1] The inflorescence is a spike.

This species is distributed across sub-Saharan Africa and includes two subspecies:^[2]

• B. abyssinica Fresen. subsp. abyssinica Fresen.
• B. abyssinica Fresen. subsp. rosea (Hoyle) Mikkelsen^[3]

The subspecies rosea is endemic to Tanzania, where it is considered vulnerable.^[4]

Bersama abyssinica produces a hard, heavy wood that is used in the construction of houses in West Africa.^[5]

External links

• Images from the Flora of Zimbabwe

Notes and References

1. Web site: Bersama abyssinica Fresen. . 2007-12-03 . Flora of Zimbabwe .
2. Web site: Bersama abyssinica Fresen. subsp. abyssinica Fresen. [family MELIANTHACEAE] ]. 2007-12-03 . Aluka .
3. K. S. . Mikkelsen . O. Seberg . 2001 . Morphometric analysis of the Bersama abyssinica Fresen. complex (Melianthaceae) in East Africa . Plant Systematics and Evolution . 227 . 3–4 . 157–182 . 10.1007/s006060170046 . 28513818 .
4. Gereau, R.E. . Kabuye, C. . Kalema, J. . Kamau, P. . Kindeketa, W. . Luke, W.R.Q. . Lyaruu, H.V.M. . Malombe, I. . Mboya, E.I. . Mollel, N. . Njau, E.-F. . Schatz, G.E. . Sitoni, D. . Ssegawa, P. . Wabuyele, E. . 2020 . Bersama rosea . 2020 . e.T34225A2851781 . 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T34225A2851781.en . 17 November 2021.
5. Book: Heywood, V. H. (ed.) . 1993 . Flowering Plants of the World . 2nd . New York . Oxford University Press . 191–192 .