Ochna macrocalyx

Ochna macrocalyx is a species that grows as a subshrub, shrub or small tree with yellow flowers arranged in axillary racemes and belonging to the family Ochnaceae.
It a medicinal tree in Tanzania as extracts are used to treat gastrointestinal and gynaecological ailments, it is locallty known as Nkatakwa by the Wasambaa people.

Description

Ochna macrocalyx grows as a subshrub or shrub reaching a height of 3 m and has been observed sometimes to only show flowers and leaves above the ground. It has greyish to brown bark with a yellow slash. Its leaves have a lethery texture while leaflets are oblong to lanceolate to elliptical in shape, they can reach 25 cm long and 7 cm wide and with a toothed margin. Flowers are yellow up to 14 in axillary racemes.

Distribution

Occurs in Tropical East and Southern Africa and well distributed in the Usambara mountains in Tanzania. It is found in open woodlands, grasslands and rocky slopes.