Cape Gardenia
Rothmannia capensis Thunb.
Rothmannia capensis, commonly known as Cape Gardenia, is a tree species in the Rubiaceae family. It is native to South Africa, occurring in regions such as the Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, and Northern Provinces. The tree typically grows to about 5 m in open areas but can reach 20 m in forested conditions. It is known for its fragrant summer flowers and smooth, dark green spherical fruits. The bark is blackish with a distinctive rectangular pattern of fine cracks.
Description
Rothmannia capensis is a tree species found in South Africa, extending from the south-western Cape Province to the Waterberg and Soutpansberg in the Transvaal. It is a common tree in the Witwatersrand region of Johannesburg. The species is characterized by its fragrant summer flowers and spherical fruits approximately 80 mm in diameter. The bark is smooth and dark green, with a blackish appearance and a unique rectangular pattern of fine cracks. It was first described in 1776 by Thunb.
Other common names
Cape Gardenia
Distribution
Global · Botswana · Cape Provinces · KwaZulu-Natal · Northern Provinces · Swaziland
Synonyms
Randia bellatulaGardenia capensisGardenia rothmanniaGenipa rothmannia
