Ivory carpet
Leptactina benguelensis subsp. pubescens

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A plant that lies along the ground. It forms carpets. The leaves are oblong or sword shaped. The leaf blades are densely hairy underneath. The flowers occur singly or in small groups at the ends of branches. They have a scent. The flower tube is white. It is 3-6 cm long. It is hairy on the outside. The lobes are spreading. They are up to 4 cm long. The fruit is oval and orange when ripe. Flowering starts at the first rains.

There are about 25 Leptactina species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in woodland and sometimes beside rivers. It grows between 540-1,740 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. The sweet nectar is sucked from the flowers.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ibungano, Mavya-ga-ntubili, Mulangu, Ngobole ngoshai

Synonyms

Leptactina benguelensis sensu Brenan; Leptactina lanceolata K. Schum.;