Gardenia volkensii
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Gardenia volkensii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Gardenia |
| Species: | G. volkensii |
| Binomial name | |
| Gardenia volkensii K.Schum. | |
Gardenia volkensii, commonly known as bushveldt gardenia or Transvaal gardenia, is a species of plant in the family Rubiaceae native to southern Africa.[1]
Gardenia volkensii is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with short, rigid branches.[1][2] The branches form a dense rounded canopy and may touch the ground. The bark is a pale grey colour.[1] Shiny spoon-shaped leaves are found clustered at the end of knobbly branchlets.[2] The trumpet-shaped flowers start off white, but turn yellow with age. These give rise to large, round hard fruit. The ribbed outer layer is grey and is filled with an orange pulp that contains seeds.[1][2]
There are two subspecies in South Africa. These can be distinguished by their fruit.[1] Gardenia volkensii subsp. volkensii has a larger and paler fruit that is more heavily ribbed. It also has white spots called lenticels on the surface. The fruit of G. volkensii subsp. volkensii var. saundersiae is smoother, darker and smaller.[1] G. volkensii subsp. spatulifolia is also recognised.[3]
