Sparrmannia africana flowers

Sparrmannia africana leaves are large, simple and alternate. They are broadly ovate, bright green with indented veins on the upper surface, prominent below. The leaf-tips taper broadly and the bases are deeply lobed, the margins toothed. The many branched stems are greenish grey to pale brown.

The flowers are white, cup-shaped with central masses of stamens, including yellow sterile stamens. The four petals in each flower are broadly obovate. There are also four sepals.

Blooming happens in spring and summer.

The fruits are 2 cm in diameter (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.shootgardening.co.uk).