Burchellia is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. The genus contains only one species, viz. Burchellia bubalina, which is endemic to southern Africa: the Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Provinces in South Africa, and Eswatini.[1] It is commonly known as “wild pomegranate” (English) or “wildegranaat” (Afrikaans).[2]
Burchellia bubalina is a small shrub or tree up to 8 metres tall. It has red flowers, grey-green bark and dark green leaves.[3]
The species is widely cultivated in frost-free gardens as an ornamental tree and has become a weed in some regions.[4]
The name of the genus was given in honour of William John Burchell, an African explorer.
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