Cleistochlamys kirkii

Cleistochlamys kirkii (Benth.) Oliv.

Common names

Purple cluster pear (English); mutelelanzovu (Kunda); munkolongwa (Nyanja)

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A deciduous shrub or small tree 3-7.5 m high which has very distinctive pale grey flaking bark. Bark pale grey-brown, flaking. Branches pale at first, becoming darker; with prominent lenticels. Leaves simple, alternate, typically 6-11 x 2-3.5 cm, thinly textured, matt green, narrowly oblong to obovate. Petiole 2-5 mm long. Flowers creamy white, solitary, sessile, 1.2 cm in diameter, appearing before the leaves in the leaf axils (September-October). Fruit produced in clusters of up to 10 cylindrical carpels, 1.3-2.3 x 0.7-1 cm. Green, becoming purplish-black and succulent when ripe (November-January).

Range and habitat

Cleistochlamys kirkii has been recorded in Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. In the valley it is a common constituent of deciduous riverine thickets.