Christmas bush
Pavetta zeyheri

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub or tree. It is broadleaved and loses its leaves during the year. It has a taproot. The leaves are simple and in successive pairs at right angles to each other. They are clustered on small shoots on old branches. The leaves are narrowly oval and 1 cm wide. The flowers have a scent. It can grow to 3 m high. The flowers are white and tube shaped. The fruit is round and 7-9 mm across. It turns black when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in hot arid areas with a marked dry season. It grows in deep well-drained soils. It is often over limestone materials. It can tolerate light shade. It grows between 100-1,700 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zambia

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Maitla-a-diluk, Matiadule, Munjeru, Nantesa, Omutete, Oshihone, Tshithabani, Tshitabanna

Synonyms

Pavetta dissimis Bremeck.; Pavetta inconspicua Dinter ex Bremeck; Pavetta lasiopeplus K. Schum.; Pavetta microlancea K. Schum.; Pavetta middleburgensis Bremek.; Pavetta pseudo-zeyheri Bremek.;