Iqayi Emhlope

undata: wavy

Multi-stemmed shrub or small unarmed tree. Bark grey-brown, smooth to finely fissured, flaking to reveal pinkish under bark. Leaves alternate, variable, ovate, elliptic-oblong to almost round, up to 13 × 9 cm, pale to dark green, paler below, somewhat leathery; margin more or less distinctly gland-toothed. The leaves typically show a whitish line when folded up (image 2). Flowers in small axillary clusters, pale greenish-yellow. Fruit a 3-lobed capsule, c. 5-7 mm in diameter, yellow to reddish-brown when ripe.

Widespread in Africa, Madagascar and the Comoro Islands.