Citropsis daweana

Citropsis daweana Swingle & M.Kellerm.

Common names

Wild citron (English); mpalachisutu (Kunda).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

Citropsis deweana is a deciduous, spiny shrub up to 5m in height. It is most easily recognised by its long spines and aromatic, winged compound leaves. Bark smooth, grey with straight to curved spines, 1-3 cm long. Leaves compound, imparipinnate with 2-5 opposite, sessile leaflets plus the terminal one. Leaflets rhomboid to obovate, 1.5-5.5 x 0.8-2.5cm, hairy and with translucent oil gland dots which are aromatic when crushed; margins scalloped. Petiole and leaf rachis winged; petiole up to 2.5cm long. Flowers appear before the leaves in clusters or small, branched racemes 2-3cm long. Flowers 10mm in diameter, yellow-white, floral parts in fours (September-November). Fruit a spherical berry, 1.2-1.5cm in diameter, reddish brown and dotted with oil glands (December-April).

Range and habitat

Citropsis deweana is found in the hotter and drier habitats of the Caprivi Strip, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia. In the Luangwa valley, it is associated with riverine thicket. It is not common.