Chaetachme

Chaetachme is a monotypic genus of flowering plants native to eastern and western Africa, including Madagascar,^[3] containing the single species Chaetachme aristata. Its English common name is thorny elm,^[4] and it is known as muyuyu in Kikuyu.^[5] Traditionally placed in the Elm family, it is more recently placed in the family Cannabaceae, thought to be possibly closely related to Celtis.

Chaetachme
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Cannabaceae
Genus:	Chaetachme Planch.
Species:	C. aristata
Binomial name
Chaetachme aristata E.Mey. ex Planch.
Synonyms[2]
Celtis appendiculata E.Mey. ex Planch. Celtis subdentata E.Mey. ex Planch. Chaetachme madagascariensis Baker Chaetachme meyeri Harv. Chaetachme microcarpa Rendle Chaetachme nitida Planch. & Harv. Chaetachme serrata Engl.

Chaetachme aristata is a shrub or small tree growing up to 10 metres (33 ft) tall. It has drooping, angular branches covered with spines up to 3.5 centimetres (1.4 in) in length. The lance-shaped leaves are up to 11 centimetres (4.3 in) long by 5 centimetres (2.0 in) wide, pointed at the tip and smooth or serrated on the edges. The shrub is dioecious and sexually dimorphic, with male and female flower types borne on separate individuals,^[3][6] although it may also be monoecious.^[7]

This shrub is host to the mirid bug Volumnus chaetacme.^[8]

The spiny branches of the shrub are used as fences in African villages.^[5][9]