RUTACEAE
Vepris carringtoniana
Winged White-Ironwood
Trees & Shrubs© Brenden Pienaar (2015)
Local Context
Easily overlooked, but this specimen was found towards the Southern end of the estate. The leaves have a sharp pungent smell when crushed.Identification
- Growth: Deciduous shrub usually growing up to 3 m tall.
- Flowers: Small and yellow, arranged in short, loose clusters (up to 2 cm long) at the tips of the branches.
- Leaves: Divided into three small leaflets carried on a stalk that has distinctive flat "wings" along the sides; the leaflets are narrow to egg-shaped (1.5–4 cm long) with rounded tips and finely scalloped edges.
- Texture: Leaves are papery and densely covered in tiny transparent dots (glands) that are visible when held up to the light; the veins are very distinct on both surfaces.
- Fruit: Small, oval-shaped fruit (approx. 1 cm long) that turns brown when mature and contains a woody stone.
Did You Know?
In traditional medicine, Vepris carringtoniana is a vital ethnobotanical resource for treating malaria in Southern Africa. Locals prepare a bitter tonic by boiling its roots, which contain chemical compounds like alkaloids thought to combat the infection. This root decoction serves as a primary remedy to reduce fever and manage symptoms in regions with limited access to modern medicine.