Phyllogeiton zeyheri
| Red ivorywood (Phyllogeiton zeyheri) | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Phyllogeiton zeyheri |
| Genus | Phyllogeiton |
| Family | Rhamnaceae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Native range | Southern Africa |
Phyllogeiton zeyheri, commonly called red ivorywood or red ivory, is a southern African fruiting tree in the Rhamnaceae. GBIF treats Phyllogeiton zeyheri as the accepted name, with Berchemia zeyheri and Rhamnus zeyheri among its nomenclatural references.[1][2]
The name Berchemia zeyheri remains important in southern African literature: Kew records the 2021 synonymising treatment while noting earlier sources that used Berchemia, and IPNI preserves the nomenclatural publication record for that name.[3][4] The 2021 phylogenetic study explicitly placed African B. zeyheri in the reinstated genus Phyllogeiton.[5]
Description[edit | edit source]
Red ivorywood is an evergreen to semi-deciduous tree that normally reaches about 15 m. It occurs in woodland and bushveld, as well as rocky ground, stream margins and slopes, and is described as drought resistant but frost sensitive.[6] The accepted generic placement reflects a modern reinstatement of Phyllogeiton: a phylogenetic study placed the African species formerly treated as Berchemia discolor and B. zeyheri in that genus.[5]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
The recorded range includes rocky areas, stream margins and slopes. A practical species-level starting point from that habitat pattern is a sharply drained soil with some organic matter, avoiding a pot or planting site that stays waterlogged after rain.[6] With reported drought resistance, a drainage-led approach is more appropriate than a fixed irrigation schedule.[6]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Its habitats span woodland, bushveld and exposed rocky settings. Bright light or gentle morning sun with protection from reflected afternoon heat is a reasonable starting point for a cultivated plant; increase exposure gradually as the plant acclimates. Frost protection is important because the species is described as frost sensitive, even though it tolerates dry conditions once established.[6]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
Flowering is recorded from September through December, followed by fruit from January through April in the southern African calendar.[6] The tree is frost sensitive.[6]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed should be cleaned by removing the fruit pulp, then sown in river sand or a 1:1 mixture of compost and river sand. Cover the seed thinly and keep the medium moist. Germination is reported in 5–9 days, with transplanting after the seedlings reach the two-leaf stage.[6]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The flowers are yellowish or greenish-white and are recorded from September to December. The fruit follows from January to April and is described as sweet, with yellow to brownish-red colouration.[6] No measured firmness or colour-index standard is specified for harvest timing.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The fruit is eaten fresh. Dried fruit is described as sticky and capable of being stored for several months, and the fruit is also associated with rural-market sale.[6] Those uses are reported cultural and horticultural observations rather than an independent food-safety assessment; use only correctly identified fruit and do not treat the storage description as a validated preservation protocol.