Rubiaceae
Aoranthe cladantha
- Leaf base, lower surface.
- Flower buds.
- Immature fruit.
- Leaf, lower surface.
General Information
This tree can reach a height of 15 m but it often flowers before it reaches this size. On mature trees the bark has deep fissures. The leaves are distinctive, being up to 50 cm long with large blunt stipules which fall to leave a ring of hairs on the scar. Another species, Aoranthe nalaensis, has more pointed stipules. The leaves have hairs on the veins on both sides of the leaf. The flowers are produced in the axil of every second pair of leaves. These mature leaves fall to leave the developing fruit on the branches below the remaining leaves. The fruit turn yellow on maturity.
Ecology
Mixed species terra firma forest, usually in disturbed areas, especially along roads.
Distribution
Distribution: Nigeria to Gabon and DRC.