Parinari capensis, the sand apple, is a species of flowering plant in the family Chrysobalanaceae, found in Botswana, DRC, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. It is 20 centimetres (7.9 in) tall. The leaves are elliptic with a white underside. It has small white flowers and a hairy sand-coloured calyx.[1]
Habitat
The species can be found on sand, in open woodland and grassland on the elevation of 1,200–1,600 metres (3,900–5,200 ft). It blooms from September to October.[1] The species is considered a geoxyle with a substantial part of the plant growing under the ground, an adaptation to fire-prone habitats. They have been considered therefore as forming immortal underground forests of great age.
Uses
The plant is used for anti-malaria purposes.[2]
References
- ^ a b "Parinari capensis". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
- ^ Uys AC; Malan SF; van Dyk S; van Zyl RL (August 2002). "Antimalarial compounds from Parinari capensis". Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 12 (16). Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education: 2167–9. doi:10.1016/s0960-894x(02)00350-5. PMID 12127529.
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