Cadaba aphylla explained

Cadaba aphylla ("Swartstorm") is one of the many species in the genus Cadaba. It is indigenous to southern Africa.

Description

It grows as a straggly, perennial shrub or small tree, virgate, much-branched, dark green, often with purple bloom, and usually leafless, and may reach 2 meters in height. Its branches are somewhat succulent and frequently spine-tipped. Leaves of some 10 x 2 mm are found on seedlings and young branchlets.

Its deep-red flowers (rarely yellow) in axillary clusters have prominently exserted stamens, making this a colourful plant in summer. Fruits are some 90 mm in length, green at first, turning a rusty brown when mature, and covered in sticky hairs. A sticky orange pulp covers the small black seeds.[1] [2]

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Distribution

This species may occur in dry bushveld or semidesert conditions from tropical Africa to Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. At its southern extent, it occurs in clay-rich soils in the Little Karoo and Overberg regions, as far south-west as the town of Montagu.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://pza.sanbi.org/cadaba-aphylla Cadaba aphylla - SANBI
  2. Web site: Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Cadaba aphylla. www.zimbabweflora.co.zw. en. 2017-08-02.
  3. Web site: JSTOR Global Plants: Search Results.
  4. Vlok, J.H.J. (2010). Plants of the Klein Karoo. Umdaus Press.