Phylica oleifolia glossy fruit

    Phylica oleifolia glossy fruit
    Author: Ivan Lätti
    Photographer: Thabo Maphisa

    The shiny tops of ripening Phylica oleifolia fruit reveal their three-lobed structure in outline seen from above. In profile the fruits resemble cupcakes, ridged with bulging embellishments in a ring around the top. The circumference ring and ridges to the base are remains of the calyx. The capsule becomes 8 mm to 10 mm in diameter.

    The spelling of the scientific name seems to have changed from oleaefolia to oleifolia. Whether the common name, glossy hard-leaf, refers to these fruits as would be appropriate, or some other plant feature is uncertain (Le Roux, et al, 2005; Coates Palgrave, 2002; iNaturalist).

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