Psychotria capensis subsp. capensis hanging fruit clusters

A hanging Psychotria capensis subsp. capensis fruit cluster indicates that it is heavy for its peduncle. The peduncle or stalk of the whole bunch may be from 1 cm to 10 cm long, and elongating during fruiting. Pedicels are present on individual fruits but shorter. When not so heavy, the cluster may be erect, a more flat-topped panicle or cyme.

The branching is regular and opposite, reflecting the Rubiaceae family’s way of growing clusters. The calyx lobes, persistent at each fruit tip, remain visible on the berry. This is so as the ovary was inferior in the preceding flower, calyx as well as corolla and stamens emergent from above the ovary embedded in the receptacle (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; Pooley, 1993; iNaturalist).