Rhaphiostylis beninensis (Hook. f. ex Planch.) Planch. ex Benth.

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Picture: Bart Wursten
Luhulu, a small tributary of the Aruwimi River,Central DRC. © National Botanic Garden of Belgium

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Synonyms:	Apodytes beninensis Hook. f. ex Planch. Ptychopetalum cuspidatum R.E. Fr.
Common names:
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Straggling evergreen shrub or liane. Bark dark grey, smooth; young branchlets often dark purple. Leaves alternate, lanceolate to elliptic 7-15 cm long with a distinct drip-tip, glossy dark green above, paler below, leathery, hairless, midrib impressed above, prominent below; margin entire. Flowers in axillary clusters, white, sweet-scented. Fruit broadly ovoid, somewhat flattened asymmetrically stalked, surface distinctly wrinkled, red to black when ripe.
Type location:	Liberia
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	beninensis: of Benin in West Africa, although the type specimen was collected in Liberia.
Habitat:	In thickets along forest margins.
Altitude range:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Widespread in tropical Africa
Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca):	N,W
Zambian distribution (Provinces):	Cb,Lp,N,C
Growth form(s):	Climber, liane, shrub over 2 m.
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Monday 1 September 2014
Literature:	Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 47. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 76. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 256. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 54. Mendes, E.J. (1963). Icacinaceae Flora Zambesiaca 2(1) Pages 147 - 148. (Includes a picture). Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 68.

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Flora of the DRC: Rhaphiostylis beninensis
Flora of Mozambique: Rhaphiostylis beninensis
Flora of Zimbabwe: Rhaphiostylis beninensis

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Rhaphiostylis beninensis
African Plant Database: Rhaphiostylis beninensis
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Rhaphiostylis beninensis
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Rhaphiostylis beninensis
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Rhaphiostylis beninensis
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iNaturalist: Rhaphiostylis beninensis
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Rhaphiostylis beninensis
JSTOR Plant Science: Rhaphiostylis beninensis
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Rhaphiostylis beninensis
Plants of the World Online: Rhaphiostylis beninensis
Tropicos: Rhaphiostylis beninensis
Wikipedia: Rhaphiostylis beninensis