Parinari capensis

Sand apple
foliage and inflorescences
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Chrysobalanaceae
Genus: Parinari
Species:
P. capensis
Binomial name
Parinari capensis
Synonyms[1]
  • Ferolia capensis (Harv.) Kuntze

Parinari capensis, the sand apple, is a species of flowering plant in the family Chrysobalanaceae.[1][2] It is found in Botswana, DRC, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. It is 20 centimetres (7.9 in) tall. The leaves are elliptic with a white underside. It has small white flowers and a hairy sand-coloured calyx.[3]

Habitat

habit and flowers

The species can be found on sand, in open woodland and grassland on the elevation of 1,200–1,600 metres (3,900–5,200 ft). It blooms from September to October.[3] The species is considered a geoxyle with a substantial part of the plant growing under the ground, an adaptation to fire-prone habitats. They have been considered therefore as forming immortal underground forests of great age.

Uses

The plant is used for anti-malaria purposes.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Parinari capensis Harv". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  2. ^ "Parinari capensis Harv". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Parinari capensis". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  4. ^ Uys AC; Malan SF; van Dyk S; van Zyl RL (August 2002). "Antimalarial compounds from Parinari capensis". Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 12 (16). Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education: 2167–9. doi:10.1016/s0960-894x(02)00350-5. PMID 12127529.
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