Englerophytum natalense

Silver-leaf milkplum
In KwaZulu-Natal
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Sapotaceae
Genus: Englerophytum
Species:
E. natalense
Binomial name
Englerophytum natalense
(Sond.) T.D.Penn.
Synonyms[1]
  • Bequaertiodendron natalense (Sond.) Heine & J.H. Hemsl.
  • Chrysophyllum natalense Sond.

Englerophytum natalense, the silver-leaf milkplum, is a medium-sized, evergreen tree that occurs along forested escarpments from East Africa to South Africa.[1] The leaves are alternately arranged or spiralled,[2] and to some extent crowded near the ends of branches. They are glossy green to greyish green above and covered in silvery hairs below.[1] The stem is straight and the bark smooth. Young branches are covered with dense brownish hairs.[2] The plant contains a milky latex.

It is a larval food plant of the butterflies Euptera pluto kinugnana, Pseudacraea boisduvalii trimeni, P. eurytus imitator and P. lucretia.[2]

Similar species

Manilkara discolor has rough bark, attains a larger size, and is native to drier regions.[2]

  • Foliage
    Foliage
  • Ripe fruit
    Ripe fruit

References

  1. ^ a b c Hyde, Mark; et al. "Englerophytum natalense (Sond.) T.D. Penn". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d Nonyane, Frank (2013). "Englerophytum natalense (Sond.) T.D.Penn". PlantZAfrica.com. SANBI. Retrieved 10 October 2013.