Vangueria pygmaea

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Vangueria pygmaea
Vangueria pygmaea Schltr-Northcliff, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Rubiaceae
Genus:	Vangueria
Species:	V. pygmaea
Binomial name
Vangueria pygmaea Schltr.
Synonyms
Pachystigma pygmaeum (Schltr.) Robyns Pachystigma rhodesianum (S.Moore) Robyns Vangueria nana K.Schum. ex Robyns Vangueria rhodesiana S.Moore Vangueria setosa Conrath

Vangueria pygmaea is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae.

Description[]

It is a small (5–15 cm) geofrutex, usually with a long rhizome. Because of these rhizomes, the species often reproduces clonally with as a consequence that many seemingly individual plants occur together. In winter no above ground parts are present, but in spring the densely pubescent leaves appear. Inflorescences are found at ground-level and are densely setose. Flowers are 5-merous and are white. Mature fruits are yellow-brown, round and around 1.5 cm large.

This species is easily confused with the more rare , which is identical except for the absence of an indumentum. It is also similar to and occurs together with , but this species has glabrous, shiny leaves that are organized in whorls of 3 or 4.

Distribution and habitat[]

The species is found in Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It grows in open grasslands, often on higher altitudes with a cooler climate.

Cultivation and use[]

It is related to the African medlar, Vangueria infausta, which is known for its edible fruits. Therefore, fruits of Vangueria pygmaea can be eaten too, however, this is not generally done.

Gousiekte[]

The species is known to harbour endophytic Burkholderia bacteria and is known to cause gousiekte, a cardiotoxicosis of ruminants characterised by heart failure four to eight weeks after ingestion of certain rubiaceous plants.^[1]

References[]

External links[]

• World Checklist of Rubiaceae

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