Pyrenacantha malvifolia

Pyrenacantha malvifolia, common name monkey chair, is a rare species of flowering plants in the genus Pyrenacantha belonging to the family Icacinaceae.

Pyrenacantha malvifolia
Pyrenacantha malvifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Icacinales
Family:	Icacinaceae
Genus:	Pyrenacantha
Species:	P. malvifolia
Binomial name
Pyrenacantha malvifolia Engl.
Synonyms[1][2]
Pyrenacantha globosa Engl. Pyrenacantha ruspolii Engl. Trematosperma cordatum Urb.

Description

Pyrenacantha malvifolia has an above ground swollen and thickened caudex with a diameter up to 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in). On the top of the caudex emerge some vine-like stems with green round shaped leaves. These vines in native habitat can reach 9–15 metres (30–49 ft). Flower are green and quite inconspicuous.

Distribution

This species can be found in central and eastern Africa, in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania.

Habitat

This plant grows in the African tropical semi-desert (usually on hill-sides).