Rapanea gilliana

R. gilliana, the dwarf Cape beech, is a densely leaved shrub or small tree sometimes reaching 4 m in height (SA Tree List No. 578.1). It has oblanceolate leaves (lance-shaped with the widest part nearer the tip than the base). The wavy margins are rolled under.

The cup-shaped flowers are small and greenish to cream with five petals spreading; recurving as the old flower turns brown. The ovoid, ellipsoid to nearly spherical fruits turn dark red, then blackish purple when ripe, densely clustered on upper stems mainly in the second half of the year. The one-seeded, fleshy fruits are larger than those of R. melanophloeos, up to 1 cm long. 

The species distribution is coastal in the Eastern Cape from St. Francis Bay to Port Alfred. It is unfortunately not known where this photo was taken.

The habitat is coastal dunes among scrub, or on rocky outcrops not far from the sea.

The Rapanea genus of trees and shrubs, even some climbers, consists of about 100 species, forming part of the Myrsinaceae family. Many occur in tropical regions. The simple leaves are spirally arranged, dotted with glandular scales, especially when young. The small flowers grow in axillary clusters. The sepals and petals are often marked with lines and dots. The stamens are sessile, without filaments. The fruits are fleshy drupes.

The fortunes of the Rapanea genus don't appear positive in South Africa. R. gilliana is endangered early in the twenty first century, while the population of R. melanophloeos is also declining, although still considered of least concern (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).