Nuxia congesta

Nuxia congesta, commonly known as brittle-wood, is a species of tree in the Stilbaceae family, with an extensive range in the Afrotropics.[3] The species is named congesta for its dense inflorescences.[3][4]

Brittle-wood
Habit on a cliff ledge, Gauteng
Foliage and inflorescences

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Stilbaceae
Genus: Nuxia
Species:
N. congesta
Binomial name
Nuxia congesta
Synonyms

Over 40, including:[2]

  • Nuxia sambesina Gilg
  • Nuxia viscosa Gibbs

Range

The species is native to South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, northwards to tropical Africa, Ethiopia and southern Arabia.[5][4] It is also found on the islands in the Gulf of Guinea.[4]

Habitat

It is a component of woodland, bushveld or grassland, and occurs along forest verges, but has a predisposition for rocky terrain[3][4] and cliff ledges.

Similar species

Nuxia glomerulata has a restricted range between Pretoria and Zeerust, South Africa, and differs by its more elliptic, leathery and glabrous leaves.[3] Nuxia floribunda carries the leaves on long and slender petioles, and has larger and less dense inflorescences.[3][5]

References
  1. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). Nuxia congesta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T146197740A146197742. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T146197740A146197742.en. Downloaded on 16 August 2019.
  2. "Nuxia congesta R.Br. ex Fresen". The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  3. Mothogoane, M. S. (February 2011). "Nuxia congesta R.Br. ex Fresen". PlantZAfrica. National Herbarium, SANBI. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
  4. Hyde, Mark; et al. "Nuxia congesta R. Br. ex Fresen". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  5. Burring, Jan-Hakon (August 2004). "Nuxia floribunda Benth". PlantZAfrica. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, SANBI. Retrieved 1 July 2015.


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