Bersama abyssinica

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Winged Bersama
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Geraniales
Family: Melianthaceae
Genus: Bersama
Species: B. abyssinica
Binomial name
Bersama abyssinica
Hoyle
Approximate range/distribution map of Bersama abyssinica; green shows countries where it is present
Approximate range/distribution map of Bersama abyssinica; green shows countries where it is present
Synonyms
  • Bersama schreberifolia
  • Bersama schweinfurthii
  • Bersama serrata
  • Bersama volkensii

Bersama abyssinica is a species of medium-sized evergreen tree in the Melianthaceae family. The leaves are pinnately divided with a strongly winged rachis (hence the common name Winged Bersama).[1] The inflorescence is a spike.

This species is distributed across sub-Saharan Africa and includes two subspecies[2]:

  • B. abyssinica Fresen. subsp. abyssinica Fresen.
  • B. abyssinica Fresen. subsp. rosea (Hoyle) Mikkelsen[3]

The subspecies rosea is endemic to Tanzania, where it is considered vulnerable.[4]

Bersama abyssinica produces a hard, heavy wood that is used in the construction of houses in West Africa.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bersama abyssinica Fresen.. Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
  2. ^ Bersama abyssinica Fresen. subsp. abyssinica Fresen. [family MELIANTHACEAE]. Aluka. Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
  3. ^ Mikkelsen, K. S.; O. Seberg (2001). "Morphometric analysis of the Bersama abyssinica Fresen. complex (Melianthaceae) in East Africa". Plant Systematics and Evolution 227 (3-4): 157–182. doi:10.1007/s006060170046. 
  4. ^ Lovett, J. & Clarke, G.P. (1998) Bersama rosea. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 20 August 2007.
  5. ^ Heywood, V. H. (ed.) (1993). Flowering Plants of the World, 2nd ed., New York: Oxford University Press, 191-192. 

[edit] External links

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