Nuxia congesta
Nuxia congesta, commonly known as brittle-wood, is a species of tree in the Stilbaceae family, with an extensive range in the Afrotropics.[3] The species is named congesta for its dense inflorescences.[3][4]
Brittle-wood | |
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Habit on a cliff ledge, Gauteng | |
Foliage and inflorescences | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Stilbaceae |
Genus: | Nuxia |
Species: | N. congesta |
Binomial name | |
Nuxia congesta | |
Synonyms | |
Over 40, including:[2]
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Range
The species is native to South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, northwards to tropical Africa, Ethiopia and southern Arabia.[5][4] It is also found on the islands in the Gulf of Guinea.[4]
Habitat
It is a component of woodland, bushveld or grassland, and occurs along forest verges, but has a predisposition for rocky terrain[3][4] and cliff ledges.
Similar species
Nuxia glomerulata has a restricted range between Pretoria and Zeerust, South Africa, and differs by its more elliptic, leathery and glabrous leaves.[3] Nuxia floribunda carries the leaves on long and slender petioles, and has larger and less dense inflorescences.[3][5]
References
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). Nuxia congesta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T146197740A146197742. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T146197740A146197742.en. Downloaded on 16 August 2019.
- "Nuxia congesta R.Br. ex Fresen". The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- Mothogoane, M. S. (February 2011). "Nuxia congesta R.Br. ex Fresen". PlantZAfrica. National Herbarium, SANBI. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- Hyde, Mark; et al. "Nuxia congesta R. Br. ex Fresen". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
- Burring, Jan-Hakon (August 2004). "Nuxia floribunda Benth". PlantZAfrica. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, SANBI. Retrieved 1 July 2015.