Meineckia ovata

Scientific Name: Meineckia ovata

Family: Phyllanthaceae family

General Information

Meineckia ovata is endemic to the Taita Hills in Kenya. It is threatened by habitat loss. A slender monoecious shrub or small tree up to 5 m. high

Features of Meineckia ovata that make it identifiable:

Bark: Bark grey, smooth.

Leaf: Dark green and shiny above, paler somewhat bluish green beneath.

Flower : Rounded or truncate, pale green with darker green veins, later becoming pink flushed, persistent

Fruit: Green at first, later becoming reddish brown or purplish.

There is an urgent need to develop effective long-term conservation strategies that can save these species and other woody species growing along with them, namely Macaranga conglomerata, Meineckia ovata, Memecylon teitense, Millettia oblata, Ocotea usambarensis, Psychotria petitii, Psychotria crassipetala and Prunus africana.