Elaeodendron matabelicum Loes.

Celastraceae, N. K. Robson. Flora Zambesiaca 2:2. 1966

Morphology General Habit

Tree 2–12(20) m. high; branches 4-lined and vinous red when young, becoming terete with prominent whitish lenticels and eventually greyish.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with lamina yellowish-green to dark green above, greyish-green beneath, (3·5)4–10(13·2) × 1·5–4·5 cm., oblong to elliptic or lanceolate, acute or shortly acuminate to obtuse or apiculate at the apex, with margin obtusely glandular-denticulate or more rarely dentate or subentire, cuneate to angustate at the base, coriaceous, with densely reticulate yellowish venation more prominent above than below; petiole (5)7–18 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Cymes in axil of foliage leaves; peduncle 3–25 mm. long; flowers numerous in each dichasium, c. 4 mm. in diam., in subglobose clusters, bisexual.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 5, c. 0·3 mm. long, semicircular, entire.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals 5, green to yellow, 1–1·5 mm. long, oblong or elliptic-oblong, with margin paler, entire.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens 5.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Disc

Disk slightly 5-angled, patelliform, puberulous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 3-locular, broadly ovoid-conic, c. 2/3-immersed in disk.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Drupe yellow or greenish-yellow, drying dark red, 13–18 mm. long, subglobose to ellipsoid or obovoid, smooth.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed 1.