Parinari capensis

Parinari capensis, the sand apple, is a species of flowering plant in the family Chrysobalanaceae, found in Botswana, DRC, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. It is 20 centimetres (7.9 in) tall. The leaves are elliptic with a white underside. It has small white flowers and a hairy sand-coloured calyx.[1]

Sand apple
foliage and inflorescences
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Chrysobalanaceae
Genus: Parinari
Species:
P. capensis
Binomial name
Parinari capensis
Harv.

Habitat
habit and flowers

The species can be found on sand, in open woodland and grassland on the elevation of 1,200–1,600 metres (3,900–5,200 ft). It blooms from September to October.[1] The species is considered a geoxyle with a substantial part of the plant growing under the ground, an adaptation to fire-prone habitats. They have been considered therefore as forming immortal underground forests of great age.

Uses

The plant is used for anti-malaria purposes.[2]

References
  1. "Parinari capensis". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  2. Uys AC; Malan SF; van Dyk S; van Zyl RL (August 2002). "Antimalarial compounds from Parinari capensis". Bioorg Med Chem Lett. Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. 12 (16): 2167–9. doi:10.1016/s0960-894x(02)00350-5. PMID 12127529.


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