Kaffir-orange (Strychnos spinosa, Tabl. Encycl. 2: 38 (1794))

Family: Loganiaceae

Author: Lam.

Bibliography: Tabl. Encycl. 2: 38 (1794)

Year: 1794

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Strychnos

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & S. Africa, W. Indian Ocean

Description

The Kaffir-orange, scientifically known as Strychnos spinosa, is a remarkable plant species that belongs to the Loganiaceae family. Noted for its distinctive characteristics and geographical spread, this plant holds an enduring significance in the ecosystems where it is found.

Strychnos spinosa thrives primarily in the tropical and southern regions of Africa, spanning a wide array of climates. Its presence extends to the Western Indian Ocean, illustrating its adaptability and ecological value. The Kaffir-orange’s fortitude in these diverse environments underscores its resilience and complex biological interactions with surrounding flora and fauna.

Characteristically, Strychnos spinosa is recognized for its hardy, spiny exterior, which simultaneously acts as a defense mechanism and a distinctive identifier. The plant produces vibrant, orange-like fruits that are not only visually striking but are also of ecological importance. These fruits play a pivotal role in the diet of various wildlife species, aiding in seed dispersal and the sustenance of diverse animal populations.

From a botanical perspective, the Kaffir-orange was first documented in the ‘Tableau Encyclopédique et Méthodique’ volume 2, page 38, published in 1794 by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, a renowned French naturalist known for his significant contributions to the field of botany. Lamarck’s work provided a comprehensive foundation that has allowed subsequent generations of botanists and ecologists to further understand and appreciate the complexity and significance of Strychnos spinosa.

In summary, the Kaffir-orange is a plant of significant ecological and botanical interest, thriving in the tropical and southern regions of Africa and the Western Indian Ocean. Its robust nature, distinctive fruit, and integral role in various ecosystems mark it as a notable species within the Loganiaceae family.

Common Names

Eng: kaffir-orange, natal orange, natal-orange, monkey-orange
Kon: mabumi, nkala nkonki
Lub: makoke, mukoke
Run: umukome
Kin: umukomo
En: Kaffir-orange, Monkey-orange, Natal-orange, Natal orange, Spiny monkey-orange, Mun’ono, Mutamba, N’tengulengu, Umhahli, Umngono, Napal-orange, Green monkey-orange
Af: Groenklapper
Rw: Umukomo
Rn: Umukome
Kg: Mabumi, Nkala nkonki
Lu: Makoke, Mukoke
Sn: Mutamba-mun’ono
Sw: Mtonga

Synonyms

• Strychnos cardiophylla (Gilg & Busse)
• Brehmia spinosa ((Lam.) Harv.)
• Strychnos courteti (A.Chev.)
• Strychnos schweinfurthii (Gilg)
• Strychnos volkensii (Gilg)
• Strychnos meughe (Chiov.)
• Strychnos unguacha var. retusa (Chiov.)
• Strychnos sansibariensis (Gilg)
• Strychnos emarginata (Baker)
• Strychnos leiosepala (Gilg & Busse)
• Strychnos rhombifolia (Gilg & Busse)
• Strychnos gracillima (Gilg)
• Strychnos buettneri (Gilg)
• Strychnos madagascariensis (Spreng. ex Baker)
• Strychnos miniungansamba (Gilg)
• Strychnos vuntac (Bojer)
• Strychnos tonga (Gilg)
• Strychnos mueghe (Chiov.)
• Strychnos cuneifolia (Gilg & Busse)
• Strychnos euryphylla (Gilg & Busse)
• Strychnos megalocarpa (Gilg & Busse)
• Strychnos djalonis (A.Chev.)
• Strychnos gracillima var. paucispinosa (De Wild.)
• Strychnos spinosa subsp. lokua ((A.Rich.) Bruce)
• Strychnos dulcis (A.Chev.)
• Strychnos omphalocarpa (Gilg & Busse)
• Strychnos flacurtii (Desv. ex Thouars)
• Strychnos lokua (A.Rich.)
• Strychnos spinosa var. pubescens (Baker)
• Strychnos pluvialis (A.Chev.)
• Strychnos spinosa subsp. volkensii ((Gilg) E.A.Bruce)
• Strychnos harmsii (Gilg & Busse)
• Strychnos gilletii (De Wild.)
• Strychnos laxa (Soler.)
• Strychnos carvalhoi (Gilg)
• Strychnos radiosperma (Gilg & Busse)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Benin (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Caprivi Strip (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Congo (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Togo (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Florida (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Apr 24, 2019 by Gerd Luedke (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2022 by Noah Hauck (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2019 by Gerd Luedke (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 5, 2021 by Jeff Sandwith (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 29, 2021 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2021 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2021 by susan brown (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2022 by rob krause (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 13, 2022 by rob krause (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Fruit

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Apr 27, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Jul 16, 2019 by cinturao Dr Candido (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2019 by Gerd Luedke (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Apr 27, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Apr 27, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Apr 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Other

Taken Sep 15, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Souleymane COMPAORE (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5414400)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:547485-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Strychnos spinosa Lam.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Shrub

Growth