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It is mostly found in rocky areas on North or West-facing slopes. It is drought resistant.
Growth Details.
A tangle of short, grey twigs and branchlets form a rounded canopy. The pale grey branches are very obvious. When growing, the bark on the trunk is also grey, but with age the bark becomes rougher and dark, grey-brown.
The canopy is dense and appears dull green amongst other trees. It may attain a height of up to 10 metres, but commonly reaches 4-5 metres.
Leaves.
The leaves are elliptic, with rounded tips, and vary in size -depending on the rainfall. They are simple and altemate on older branches. Crowded towards the ends of young branches, they form rosettes. The margins are smooth when mature, but young leaves are sharply toothed.
Young leaves are bronze and become light green, then age to a rough, leathery, olive-green leaf, pale underneath, with a conspicuous, yellow, central vein visible from both sides. Size 25xlOO - 80x160mm.
The leaves are not palatable and are seldom eaten by animals.
Flowers.
Small, pale-green, scented flowers grow in spikes between the leaves. It was believed that male and female flowers were borne on separate trees. In 20q 1 it was found that both male and female flowers are borne on the same tree.
Flowers from October to March.
Fruit.
Velvety-green, plum-like fruits grow in bunches on the flower spike. When ripe they burst open to expose shiny, bright red, glistening flesh that covers black seeds. The dark shell of the fruit may be seen long after the fruit has dropped. The fruit is eaten by a variety of birds and animals.
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