Ochna serrulata

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Ochna serrulata
Ochna serrulata1.jpg
The plant's typical bright red sepal with a black berry.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Ochnaceae
Genus: Ochna
Species:
O. serrulata
Binomial name
Ochna serrulata
Synonyms

Ochna atropurpurea
Ochna multiflora

Ochna serrulata (commonly known as the small-leaved plane, carnival ochna, bird's eye bush, Mickey mouse plant or Mickey Mouse bush due to the plant's ripe blackfruit, which upside down resembles the ears of Mickey Mouse, and bright-red sepals, which resembles his trousers) is an ornamental garden plant in the family Ochnaceae which is indigenous to South Africa. It is planted in southern African gardens and is an invasive species in Australia and New Zealand.

Contents

Taxonomy

Ochna serrulata was first described by the German naturalist Christian Ferdinand Friedrich Hochstetter, and given its current binomial name by Wilhelm Gerhard Walpers. Its specific epithet is derived from the Latin serrula "little saw", [1] and refers to its fine-toothed leaf margins.

Description

Flower of Ochna serrulata Flower of Ochna serrulata.jpg
Flower of Ochna serrulata
Pollen of Ochna serrulata Pollen of Ochna serrulata.jpg
Pollen of Ochna serrulata
Ochna serrulata with fruits and the bright-red sepals that resemble the ears and trousers of Mickey Mouse IMG 4246-Ochna serrulata.jpg
Ochna serrulata with fruits and the bright-red sepals that resemble the ears and trousers of Mickey Mouse
An Ochna serrulata shrub Ochna serrulata MickeymouseTree Cape Town 3.jpg
An Ochna serrulata shrub

Ochna serrulata is a small shrub growing between 1 and 2 m (3.3 and 6.6 ft) high, although it may occasionally become a small tree up to 6 m (20 ft) high. The narrow leaves are oblong to elliptic and measure 30–60 mm (1.2–2.4 in) in length by 8–15 mm (3858 in) wide, and are shiny green with fine toothed serrations along the leaf edges. During the spring, the shrub's fragrant yellow flowers appear; they are usually around 2 cm (0.79 in) in diameter. However, the yellow petals tend to drop soon after the flower has opened. Pollen grains are elongated, approximately 35×18 microns in size. Five or six fruitlets grow from each flower; they are inserted on the receptacle. While the fruitlets are developing, the sepals and the receptacle become enlarged and turn bright red, usually giving the whole bush a red appearance. The 5 mm (14 in)-diameter fruitlets are initially pale green and turn black on maturity. [2] In places including Kirstenbosch, the fruilets on the plant start ripening in the early summer, while the red sepals last until around late summer. The flowers usually attract bees and butterflies, while the birds tend to eat the fruitlets from the plant. The seeds can be released by birds and water. [3]

Distribution and habitat

The plant is native to the forest areas of South Africa. It occurs throughout the country, from Cape Town in the south, along the east coast as far as Kwazulu-Natal, and inland through Eswatini and Gauteng. This tough, adaptable shrub grows in sunny, open positions as well as in the shade of deep forest.

It has been widely cultivated outside of South Africa as an ornamental garden plant, and has become a weed in New South Wales and southern Queensland in eastern Australia, where it is found near human habitation in and around large towns and cities. [2]

Cultivation

This plant makes a very attractive indigenous shrub for South African gardens. It is hardy and resilient and can be planted both in the sun as well as in shady areas. It is initially slow-growing, but speeds up once it is established, especially if it is watered frequently. This is a very good plant for attracting birds to the garden. It does not tolerate frost well, but adapts well to light pruning and is attractive throughout the year, even when not in fruit.

Ochna serrulata is also one of several cultivated plants in Hawaii for their colorful flowers and unusual fruits. [4]

Invasive species

Ochna serrulata is a weed in parts of eastern Australia with a potential to spread from its current range. [5] In New Zealand it is listed on the National Pest Plant Accord prohibiting its sale, commercial propagation and distribution. [6]

Related Research Articles

<i>Ochna</i> Genus of flowering plants

Ochna is a genus comprising 79 species of evergreen trees, shrubs and shrublets belonging to the flowering plant family Ochnaceae. These species are native to tropical woodlands of Africa, Madagascar, the Mascarenes and Asia. Species of this genus are usually called ochnas, bird's-eye bushes or Mickey-mouse plants, a name derived from the shape of the drupelet fruit. The name of this genus comes from the Greek word ὄχνη (ókhnē), used by Theocritus and meaning "wild pear", as the leaves are similar in appearance. Some species, including Ochna integerrima and O. serrulata, are cultivated as decorative plants.

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<i>Leptospermum laevigatum</i> Species of plant

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<i>Senecio angulatus</i> Species of flowering plant in the daisy family Asteraceae

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<i>Senecio tamoides</i> Species of vine

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<i>Coprosma repens</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Brachylaena discolor</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Rhamnus alaternus</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Impatiens sodenii</i> Species of flowering plant

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<i>Eremophila serrulata</i> Species of plant

Eremophila serrulata, commonly known as serrate-leaved eremophila, is a flowering plant in the figwort family, Scrophulariaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is an erect or spreading shrub whose leaves are sticky and have small serrations, and flowers that have green, yellowish-green or yellowish-brown petals.

<i>Alternanthera brasiliana</i> Species of plant

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<i>Senna pendula</i> Species of legume

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References

  1. Simpson DP (1979). Cassell's Latin Dictionary (5 ed.). London: Cassell Ltd. p. 883. ISBN   0-304-52257-0.
  2. 1 2 Wolff, Mark A. (1999). Winning the war of Weeds: The Essential Gardener's Guide to Weed Identification and Control. Kenthurst, NSW: Kangaroo Press. p. 40. ISBN   0-86417-993-6.
  3. "Ochna serrulata". PlantZAfrica.com. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  4. "Overview of the Ochna serrulata" (PDF). hear.org. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
  5. "Weeds Australia - Weed Identification - Ochna". Australian Weeds Committee. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  6. PressReader