What is Myrsine africana?
Myrsine africana, also called Cape myrtle, African boxwood or thakisa, is a species of shrub in the Primulaceae family.
What is the genus name of the flower Myrsine?
Myrsine is a genus of flowering plants in the family Primulaceae. It was formerly placed in the family Myrsinaceae before this was merged into the Primulaceae. It is found nearly worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. It contains about 200 species, including several notable radiations,…
What is the difference between Rapanea and Myrsine?
The Pacific basin and New World species formerly separated in the genera Rapanea and Suttonia (distinguished from the African and Southeast Asian Myrsine sensu stricto by having the style absent and staminal tube and filaments completely adnate to the corolla) are now generally included in Myrsine. Myrsine laetevirens (Mez) Arechav.
Myrsine africana was introduced from the Cape into England in the late seventeenth century where it was cultivated at Hampton Court in 1691 (McClintock 1994). Birds love the fleshy fruits of Myrsine africana, helping to disperse the seed. Myrsine africana has many interesting and different uses.
Where to plant Myrsine africana?
At Kirstenbosch, Myrsine africana grows well in dry, semi-shade under trees as well as in the full sun between fynbos plants and in a rockery. M. africana, planted with Knowltonia capensis and Asparagus densiflorus, makes a tough water-wise combination, while creating interesting foliage contrast for texture throughout the year in the semi-shade.
How many species of Myrsine are there?
The small genus Myrsine has about ten species that occur from Africa to China. Two species, Myrsine africana and M. pillansii are indigenous to South Africa. The name Myrsine is derived from the Greek name for myrtle, myrtus.
What is a Myrsinaceae plant?
Myrsinaceae or the Cape myrtle family is a large family of woody plants with leaves that are gland-dotted and the fruits are a berry. The small genus Myrsine has about ten species that occur from Africa to China.