Maytenus acuminata

Maytenus acuminata (also called the silky bark, umNama or Sybas) is a variable, medium-sized, evergreen tree indigenous to Africa, including South Africa. Here it is especially common on the verges of afro-montane forest. It produces small, white flowers and bright orange or red berries. In cultivation it is useful as a light shade tree, as an ornamental, or for attracting birds.[2] The reference to "silk" in some of its common names derives from the way in which some of its sap will congeal into silky threads on contact with air. This can most easily be demonstrated by carefully breaking a leaf across, then gently pulling the two halves apart (see illustration). The threads appear at points that coincide with the positions where major veins in the leaf have broken. The threads do not appear to have any practical use, least of all as fibre.

Maytenus acuminata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Celastrales
Family: Celastraceae
Genus: Maytenus
Species:
M. acuminata
Binomial name
Maytenus acuminata

Pictures
  • In cultivation.
  • Foliage detail
  • Foliage detail 2.
  • Maytenus acuminata leaf, showing "silk"

References
  1. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) (Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), Descanso House; false.email@globaltrees.org (2018-06-12). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Maytenus acuminata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
  2. "var. acuminata 'Silky Showers'". Archived from the original on 2010-09-06. Retrieved 2010-10-19.


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