Flueggea virosa

Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Voight (Securinega virosa Roxb.)

Common names

Whiteberry bush, snowberry (English); kasanso-bwanga, mubwanga (Bemba); lukuswaula (Bemba/Kunda/Nyanja); chilime, kali, kapirapira, mdime, mkula-ngondo, mponbona, mserechete, ntanda-nyerere, waukulu, chipyelo, kapila-syila, kapyaipyai (Nyanja); lumpunga (Nyanja/Tumbuka).

The Latin generic name refers to the hard wood and the specific name to the strongly scented leaves.

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A much branched shrub although elsewhere it occurs as a small tree. Semi-deciduous with somewhat angular stems; leaves small with a bluish tinge and a quilted appearance. Flowers of different sexes borne on different shrubs; they are small, greenish and inconspicuous. Fruits are white berries. Flowers and fruits found from October to January.

Can be confused with Phyllanthus reticulatus

Range and habitat

Valley riverine fringe woodland and thicket

Levees and sand deposits of major rivers

Common in riverine areas and on termite mounds.