Obetia carruthersiana (Angola tree
nettle)
Life
> eukaryotes >
Archaeoplastida >
Chloroplastida
>
Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants)
> Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants)
> Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering
plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Rosids >
Eurosid I > Order: Rosales >
Family: Urticaceae
Identification
- A deciduous shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 7 m.
- Bark smooth, pinkish. Young branchlets are bright red.
- Watery latex present.
- Leaves ovate or heart-shaped with tapered apex, lobed base,
serrated margin, about 7 cm long by 10 cm wide, and covered with
stinging hairs.
- The very small, greenish-yellow flowers are in branching
clusters.
- The fruit is a very small oval nut within the remains of the
flower.
Distribution and habitat
Native to Namibia and Angola, where it is found
in semi-arid habitats, on rocky hills and mountainsides.
Phenology
- Flowers in September, before the leaves are produced.
- Fruits from October to November.
Ecological interactions
No records.
Uses
No records.
Names
- Named after William Carruthers, who was a Keeper of the
National Herbarium of the British Museum.
Links
References
- Palgrave, K.C. and Palgrave, M.C. 2002. Trees of Southern Africa. 3rd
Edition. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
- Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa covering all
known indigenous species in the Republic of South Africa, South-West Africa,
Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. Volume 1. A.A. Balkema, Cape
Town.
- van Wyk, B. and van Wyk, P. 1997. Field Guide to Trees of Southern
Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
Text by Hamish Robertson |
