Ochna kirkii is a shrub or small sized tree with greyish bark, belonging to the family Ochnaceae. Native to East Africa, the plant has been introduced in other countries as an ornamental plant.[2]
| Ochna kirkii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malpighiales |
| Family: | Ochnaceae |
| Genus: | Ochna |
| Species: | O. kirkii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ochna kirkii Oliv.
| |
| Subspecies[1] | |
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Description
editA shrub or small sized tree that is capable of reaching 6 m tall, it has a rough greyish bark and brown stems that become lenticellate as it grows older.[3] Leaves are fairly thin or leatherly and leaflets are obovate to elliptic with margins that are mostly even and lacking teeth.[3] Leaflets are capable of reaching 21 cm long and 7 cm wide with apex that is ether acuminate or acute and a base that is cuneate to cordate. Flowers are in terminal panicles, bright yellow in color with red sepals and orange to reddish anthers, and the fruits are black cylindrical drupelets.[3]
Distribution and habitat
editThe species is native to Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique, occurring in riparian forests and in thickets.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "Ochna kirkii Oliv". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ Randhawa, Gurcharan Singh (1986). Floriculture in India. South Asia Books. p. 158.
- ^ a b c Verdcourt, Bernard (2005). Flora of tropical East Africa. ochn: Ochnaceae / by B. Verdcourt (1. publ ed.). Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens. ISBN 978-1-84246-108-2.