Excoecaria bussei

Name and publication

Excoecaria bussei (Pax) Pax in Engl., Pflanzenr., (IV, fam. 147, v] 52: 169, t. 31 (1912).

Description

Sold as “wild apples” in the potpourri trade, the fruits of Excoecaria bussei are 3-lobed, inflated, crustaceous, ridged on each valve, otherwise somewhat smooth, green at first, later yellowish (in the fresh state), 4-5 cm long x 5-7 wide.

Nativity and distribution

Excoecaria bussei is native to Africa (Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozanbique, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe).

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Synonymy

Sapium bussei Pax