Crossopteryx febrifuga

Crossopteryx febrifuga (G.Don) Benth.

Common names

Crystal bark, sand crown berry (English); mwavi (Bemba, Kunda, Nyanja); kamwavi (Kunda, Tumbuka); dangwe, goloka, mkako, mkunda-ngulwe, mgowogowo, mlamafupa, kongwe (Nyanja).

The English name ‘crystal bark’ refers to the granular, crystalline structures found in the underbark of this tree.

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A small tree, usually of about 5 m in height but can reach double this size. Bark pale brown or grey, finely reticulate. When slashed it reveals a pink, granular underbark. Leaves simple, opposite with interpetiolar stipules. Leaves 4-8 x 1.5-2.5 cm; elliptic to ovate, reddish in flush turning mid- to dark green. Velvety to hairless above but with prominent lateral veins below; margin entire. Petiole 0.5-2 cm long. Flowers produced in terminal sprays, 6-10 cm long. Flowers small, pale yellow, corollas 1 cm long with long, protruding styles (November-January). Fruit an ovoid, brown, woody capsule, 10 x 7 mm, with a distinctive ring around its base. The capsule splits into two valves, and the old fruits persist on the tree (March-October).

Range and habitat

Crossopteryx febrifuga is found in the drier habitats of the Zambezian region, often being associated with mopane woodland and miombo on rocky hills. In the valley, it is ubiquitous and can be found in valley riverine fringe woodland and thicket, Combretum thicket, Combretum-Terminalia woodland, Combretum-Terminalia-Diospyros wooded grassland and in mopane woodland on sand