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Synonyms: | |
Common names: | Physic nut (English) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Introduced |
Description: |
A ± glabrous shrub or small tree to 6(-8) m. Stems fleshy, copiously emitting a watery or ± milky sap when cut. Leaves long-petiolate; lamina broadly ovate in outline, usually shallowly 5-lobed, sometimes unlobed, ± glabrous, dark green; base cordate; margin usually entire, but sometimes remotely and shallowly toothed, 7-9-nerved from the base. Inflorescence ± corymb-like with a peduncle to ± 5 cm. Fruit ellipsoid, scarcely 3-lobed, 2.5-3 cm long by 2 cm in diameter. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Habitat: | |
Altitude range: | |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Native of tropical America, from Mexico and the West Indies to Chile |
Malawi distribution: | C,S |
Growth form(s): | Tree. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 458. (Includes a picture). Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 252. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 42. Radcliffe-Smith, A. (1996). Euphorbiaceae Flora Zambesiaca 9(4) Pages 259 - 260. |
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