Morella microbracteata (Mountain waxberry, Nyanga waxberry)

[= Myrica microbracteata]

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Rosids > Eurosid I > Order: Fagales > Family: Myricaceae > Genus: Morella

Identification

A shrub or small tree, growing to 3.5 m high. Leaves are characteristically small and narrow, usually 2.5 x 0.3 mm but can be as long as 4 x 0.7 cm, tapering at the base, with toothed margin and short petiole. Has separate male and female flowers on the same plant. Flowers are small and in short spikes. Fruit are spherical and only about 3 mm in diameter.

Distribution and habitat

Occurs in a small area of Mpumalanga and in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. 

Phenology

Flowers from July to October

In fruit from October to December.

Ecological interactions

No information.

References

• Palgrave, K.C. and Palgrave, M.C. 2002. Trees of Southern Africa. 3rd Edition. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.

Text by Hamish Robertson