Macaranga capensis is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae. It is a tree native to sub-Saharan Africa, ranging through eastern and southern Africa from southern Ethiopia to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa,[3][4][2] with an outlier population in Gabon in west-central Africa.[2][1]
Macaranga capensis medium to large deciduous tree, typically 4.5 to 18 metres (15 to 59 ft) tall and occasionally up to 25 metres (82 ft). It has a rounded spreading crown. It typically has a straight bole, and the trunk and branches are armed with short spines. The leaves are large, shiny, and dark green, ovate to triangular-ovate, 100–150 mm (3.9–5.9 in) long by 80–120 mm (3.1–4.7 in) wide, with a short drip-tip at the apex. Flowers grow in clusters of small creamy white or yellow blooms.[5][4]
It generally grows in evergreen forests and along stream banks.[3]
The tree is harvested from the wild for timber and for local medicinal uses. It is planted as a shade or garden tree.[5]
References
- ^ a b Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group. (2019). "Macaranga capensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T146210395A146210397. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T146210395A146210397.en. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ a b c "Macaranga capensis". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ a b Macaranga capensis (Baill.) Benth. ex Sim. Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ a b Macaranga capensis. PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Retrieved 23 May 2024.
- ^ a b Macaranga capensis. Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
External links
Media related to Macaranga capensis at Wikimedia Commons
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