Olinia capensis (Jacq.) Klotzsch

Sebola, R.J. & Balkwill, K. 2013. A monographic study of the Oliniaceae. Kew Bulletin 68: 419. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12225-013-9465-x

Morphology General Habit

A medium to large tree up to 5 m high

Morphology General Bark

Bark pale to grey, smooth branchlets pinkish

Morphology Leaves

Secondary or tertiary veins inconspicuous above, looping once before margin, net-veining conspicuous below Leaves obovate to oblanceolate, 31 – 70 × 20 – 30 mm, glossy and dark green above, paler and dull below apex tapering to rounded, sometimes notched base tapering margin entire, wavy, slightly rolled under Primary veins or midvein impressed or channelled above, prominent below

Morphology Leaves Petiole

Petiole 4 – 6 mm long, pink, velvety

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences axillary, highly compact and dense

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Peduncles

Peduncle short, pubescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts

Bracts creamy-white, linear, up to 8 mm long, persistent after anthesis or after flowers have opened

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers very small, whitish sometimes tinged with pink, nine tightly clustered together per inflorescence, on very short stalks, in dense axillary cymes 50 – 60 mm long, sweetly scented

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pedicel

Pedicel glabrous, 0.5 – 1 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Hypanthium

Hypanthium white to pink, glabrous, (1.5 –) 1.6 – 1.9 (− 2) mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals tooth-like or rudimentary

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals creamy-white, elliptic, (1.2 –) 1.5 – 1.9 (− 2) × (0.3 –) 0.4 – 0.8 (− 1) mm, inserted at throat of hypanthium, pubescent on lower surface at point of attachment base sessile apex rounded margin entire

Morphology General Scales

Scales creamy white, hooded, enclosing stamens, alternating with petal lobes, up to 1 mm long, densely pubescent on both surfaces

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens as for the genus

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary 5-locular style glabrous, 0.5 – 1 mm long stigma globular to capitate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a spherical drupe 6 – 9 mm in diam., thinly fleshy, and red circular scar at apex visible, 4 – 6 mm in diam.

Note

This species closely resembles Olinia ventosa but differs in having bracts that are persistent through anthesis, axes of inflorescence units that are reduced so that there are nine flowers of three sets clustered at the tips of identifiable axes, and the hypanthium length being 2 mm or shorter (vs bracts that are caducous at anthesis, axes of identifiable units not reduced such that there are three flowers at the tips of each identifiable axis, and the hypanthium longer than 3.5 mm in O. ventosa). On the basis of floral features Olinia capensis is often confused with O. mircantha by both having persistent bracts, but O. capensis can be readily distinguished by having larger leaves of 36 – 71 mm long (vs 23 – 37 mm long for O. micrantha). The species is reported to normally flower in profusion every three years, but if the flowers become infested and galled, the cycle is interrupted, and flowering will only occur in the next two years.

Distribution

The species is known to occur in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Ecology

Occurs in forests, forest margins, coastal scrub and on rocky hillsides alt. 1000 – 1500 m.

Conservation

This species is endemic to the southern Western Cape and the Eastern Cape, South Africa and is abundant where it occurs. It occurs in many nature reserves where there is limited habitat destruction and/or population fragmentation. It is therefore assessed as of Least Concern (LC) under the IUCN Red Data status.

Vernacular

Hard pear, Hardepeer (Afrikaans).

Use

The wood is used for charcoal and was used during wagon making (Sim 1907).