Mitriostigma axillare

Common name: African Gardenia

Family: Rubiaceae

Synonym(s):

Country of Origin: Mozambique to NE. Cape Prov.

Description: Evergreen shrub 0.5–4 m tall; bark brown, smooth, adhering. Buds hairless. Twigs hairless, stout, dull, brown or green. Leaf scars opposite, meeting as a line. Stems square, thornless. Leaves opposite, simple; petioles 5–10 mm long, glabrous or nearly so; bases not unusually enlarged; buds well exposed; leaf blade 60–100(–200) mm long, 20–30(–60) mm wide, lanceolate to elliptical, apex acute, base obtuse to truncate, surface glossy above, dull, hairless below, veins hairless or nearly so, margin not toothed. Inflorescence an axillary, erect head, flower-stalks hairless. Flower radially symmetrical, bisexual. Calyx tubular, lobes 5, lanceolate, green. Corolla tubular, lobes 5, oblong, 20–30 mm long, 15–20 mm wide, white to yellow, without markings. Stamens 5; filaments free, inserted on perianth, all the same length. Ovary inferior, 2-locular. Style 1. Fruit a hairless, ellipsoid berry (10–)12–25 mm long; rind smooth, thin and soft, orange. Seeds 8–12 mm long, 2–4 mm wide.³

Uses:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Plant Uses are for informational purposes only. EEB Greenhouses assume no responsibility for adverse effects from the use of any plants referred to on this site. Always seek advice from a professional before using any plant medicinally.

USDA Zone: 10a-11

Source: Unknown

Provenance:

Restrictions:

Culture:

Tolerates a temperature range of 50F-80F, susceptible to root problems if kept too wet. Use well drained mix, let dry visibly between watering, even to the point of slight wilting ok. Bright light and good humidity.

Classification:

• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• SubClass: euasterid I
• Order: Gentianales
• SubOrder:
• Family: Rubiaceae
• SubFamily: Ixoroideae
• Tribe: Gardenieae
• SubTribe:

References:

1. The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Last accessed 14 October 2015.
2. WCSP (2015). World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Last accessed 14 October 2015.
3. Mitriostigma axillare at PlantzAfrica. Last accessed 14 October 2015.

Images:

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