Nodule-leaf birdberry
Psychotria kirkii

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. The leaves are opposite and narrowly oval. They have velvety hairs. There are glands scattered throughout the leaf blade. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves. They are white, cream or greenish. The fruit are a flattened round shape and orange-red when ripe.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in open woodland and savannah. It is often on termite mounds. It grows up to 1,540 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bwanashupa

Synonyms

Psychotria beniensis De Wild.; Psychotria ciliatocostata Cufod.; Psychotria collicola K. Schum.; Psychotria hirtella Oliv.; Psychotria kassneri Bremek.; Psychotria maculata S. Moore; Psychotria mucronata Hiern.; Psychotria nairobiensis Bremek.; Psychotria petroxenos K. Schum. & K. Krause; Psychotria pubifolia De Wild.; Psychotria punctata var. hirtella Chiov.; Psychotria rutshuruensis De Wild.; Psychotria subhirtella K. Schum.; Psychotria swynnertonii Bremek.; Psychotria volkensii K. Schum.; Uragoga kirkii (Hiern) Kuntze; Uragoga mucronata (Hiern) Kuntze;