Myrsine africana
| Cape myrtle | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male plant in flower | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Primulaceae |
| Genus: | Myrsine |
| Species: | M. africana |
| Binomial name | |
| Myrsine africana L. | |
Myrsine africana (also called Cape myrtle, African boxwood or thakisa) is a species of shrub in the Primulaceae family. It is indigenous to Macaronesia, Africa and South Asia. It typically has dense, dark-green to red foliage and produces tiny bright purple berries.
The shrub can achieve heights of over 2 metres (6.6 ft) and may be dense if pruned or grown in strong sunlight. The fine-toothed leaves are at first deep red, but on maturity become glossy and dark green. The cream-coloured flowers appear in spring, with the male flowers boasting red anthers. Separate shrubs produce either male or female flowers, with the female plants also producing purple berries.
The hardy plant is long-lived. It is increasingly popular for topiaries and small hedges generally, as it can so readily be pruned and shaped.
The shrub sends up occasional shoots from its root system that go on to form new plants. It propagates easily from seed.
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Flowers of male plant with colourful anthers -
Female plant with white flowers and purple fruit
References
External links
Media related to Myrsine africana at Wikimedia Commons