Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Royle

white berry-bush

Afr

witbessiesbos

isiZulu

IsiXhosa

Description

Family:

Phyllanthaceae

Order:

Malpighiales

Description

Deciduous shrub or small tree with spreading crown. Leaves simple, ovate to elliptic, pale green. Flowers small, greenish, inconspicuous. Fruits small, white berries. Found in woodlands and riverine areas. Important for wildlife food and cover.

Plant Details

Height

2 - 6 m

Thorns

Absent

Soil

Prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soils

Moderate

Growth Rate

2 - 6 m

Size

Several decades

Lifespan

Flower Colour

Flowering Season

, ,

Horticultural Zones

Neutral to slightly acidic

pH

Prefers well-drained sandy or loamy soils

Soil

Full sun to partial shade

Aspect

Moderate

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Drought Resistance

Companion Plants

Found with other woodland shrubs and trees

Caterpillars

Supports various butterfly species

Associations

Descriptions

Fruits eaten by birds and mammals; flowers attract pollinators; provides cover for small animals.

Flowers and fruits

Small greenish flowers; white berries eaten by wildlife.

Birds

Food and shelter for frugivorous and insectivorous birds

By Seeds:

Seeds collected from ripe berries; sow fresh; germination moderate

By Cuttings:

Difficult; mainly propagated by seed

Traditional Uses

Used medicinally for skin ailments and as a general tonic

Plant Details

Height

Description

Thorns

Description

Leaves

Description

Size

Growth Form

Size

Size

Size

Lifespan

Size

Flower Colour

Size

Flowering Season

Size

Horticultural Zones

Size

pH

Size

Soil

Size

Aspect

Size

Frost Tolerance

Size

Drought Resistance

Description

DESCRIPTION

Height

DESCRIPTION

Leaves

DESCRIPTION

Thorns

DESCRIPTION

BSS

Ecoscore

Host plant Nectar Grazing

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Distribution

Companion Plants

Description

Caterpillars

Associations

Leaves

Leaves

Flowers and fruits

Leaves

Birds

Leaves

Mammals

Leaves

By Seeds:

Leaves

By Cuttings:

Leaves

Traditional Uses

traditional uses