False dogwood, False shiny-leaf
Choristylis rhamnoides

Family: Escalloniaceae

What it is like

A scrambler or tree. It grows up to 18 m high. It has long drooping branches. Young branches are reddish-brown. The leaves are alternate. The leaves are more pale underneath. There are teeth along the edge with small black glands. The flowers are in dense clusters in the axils of leaves. They are small and greenish-yellow.

There is only one Choristylis species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests near the edge and along rivers. In Zimbabwe it grows between 900-2,300 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Liklolo

Synonyms

Choristylis shirensis Baker. f.;