Gnidia oppositifolia

Gnidia oppositifolia, commonly in Afrikaans gonnabas (gonna bark) or basbos (bark bush), is an erect, willowy shrub that reaches heights from 1 m to 3 m. It sometimes resprouts after fire.

The opposite leaves are simple and short-stalked, ascending on the upper stems, the lower stems bare. The lanceolate leaf-shape ends in an acutely pointed tip. The blades are smooth, bright green with midribs prominent on the lower surfaces and sometimes with red to purple colouring along the margins, particularly near the tips. Leaf size is about 10 mm long and 5 mm wide.

The species distribution is in the Western Cape from Clanwilliam to Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. The photo was taken in Jonkershoek.

The habitat is fynbos on sandstone slopes, often in moist places such as streambanks. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2015; Manning, 2007; Bean and Johns, 2005; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).