Ochna holstii

Ochna holstii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malpighiales
Family:	Ochnaceae
Genus:	Ochna
Species:	O. holstii
Binomial name
	Ochna holstii; Engl.

Ochna holstii is an evergreen medium to large sized tree belonging to the family Ochnaceae.^[1]

Description

Ochna holstii mostly grows as a tree but occasionally grows as a shrub, as a tree it can reach a height of 27 m (89 ft) but when shrubby it tends to be between 1.5 to 3 m (4 ft 11 in to 9 ft 10 in) tall.^[2] The bark is greyish to brown in color while the slash is pinkish turning reddish when exposed, stems are dark grey and lenticellate.^[2] Leaves have a papery texture and they tend to have stipules that can reach 15 mm (0.59 in) in length, petioles reach 3 mm (0.12 in) in length. Leaflets are oblanceolate to elliptic in outline with a toothed margin, they can reach up to 12 cm (4.7 in) long and 5 cm (2.0 in) wide, the apex of leaflets tend to be acute to acuminate while the base is cuneate.^[2] The inflorescence is arranged in raceme form with 5-20 pale yellow flowers and long pedicels that can reach to 4 cm long.^[1]

Distribution

Occurs in East and Southern Africa from Ethiopia southwards to South Africa. Commonly found in afromontane forests, rain forest and upland grasslands.^[2]^[1]

Uses

Wood of Ochna holstii is used in making tool handles, in joinery and in furniture, it is also used in interior work and construction.^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Shah, Toral; Mashimba, Fandey H.; Suleiman, Haji. O.; Mbailwa, Yahya S.; Savolainen, Vincent; Larridon, Isabel; Darbyshire, Iain (2023). "A taxonomic revision of the ecologically important Ochna holstii (Ochnaceae) complex using molecular and morphological data". Plant Ecology and Evolution. 156 (2): 174–200. ISSN 2032-3913.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Verdcourt, Bernard (2005). Flora of tropical East Africa. ochn: Ochnaceae / by B. Verdcourt (1. publ ed.). Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens. ISBN 978-1-84246-108-2.
^ Louppe, Dominique, ed. (2008). Plant resources of tropical Africa. 7,1: Timbers: 1 / ed.: D. Louppe; A. A. Oteng-Amoako. General ed.: R. H. M. J. Lemmens. Weikersheim: Margraf. p. 496. ISBN 978-90-5782-209-4.

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[:0-1] Shah, Toral; Mashimba, Fandey H.; Suleiman, Haji. O.; Mbailwa, Yahya S.; Savolainen, Vincent; Larridon, Isabel; Darbyshire, Iain (2023). "A taxonomic revision of the ecologically important Ochna holstii (Ochnaceae) complex using molecular and morphological data". Plant Ecology and Evolution. 156 (2): 174–200. ISSN 2032-3913.

[:1-2] Verdcourt, Bernard (2005). Flora of tropical East Africa. ochn: Ochnaceae / by B. Verdcourt (1. publ ed.). Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens. ISBN 978-1-84246-108-2.

[3] Louppe, Dominique, ed. (2008). Plant resources of tropical Africa. 7,1: Timbers: 1 / ed.: D. Louppe; A. A. Oteng-Amoako. General ed.: R. H. M. J. Lemmens. Weikersheim: Margraf. p. 496. ISBN 978-90-5782-209-4.

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