Ballochia amoena
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| Ballochia amoena | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A lone Ballochia amoena sprig | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Lamiales |
| Family: | Acanthaceae |
| Genus: | Ballochia |
| Species: | B. amoena |
| Binomial name | |
| Ballochia amoena | |
Ballochia amoena is a species of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae.[2] It is endemic to the islands of Socotra and Madagascar in Yemen. Its natural habitats are subtropical, tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.[1]
Ballochia amoena is a densely branched shrub that can grow to as much as 2 meters (6.5 ft) in height. It is an important source of food for domesticated sheep and goats during the summer months as they retain their leaves. They are not generally eaten by the island's domestic cattle due to the spiny nature of the bushes.[3]
