Bersama abyssinica

Bersama abyssinica is a species of medium-sized evergreen tree in the Francoaceae family. The leaves are pinnately divided with a strongly winged rachis (hence the common name winged bersama).[1] The inflorescence is a spike.

Winged bersama
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Geraniales
Family: Francoaceae
Genus: Bersama
Species:
B. abyssinica
Binomial name
Bersama abyssinica
     Countries of occurrence
Synonyms
  • Bersama schreberifolia
  • Bersama schweinfurthii
  • Bersama serrata
  • Bersama volkensii

This species is distributed across sub-Saharan Africa and includes two subspecies:[2]

  • B. abyssinica Fresen. subsp. abyssinica Fresen.
  • B. abyssinica Fresen. subsp. rosea (Hoyle) Mikkelsen[3]

The subspecies rosea is endemic to Tanzania, where it is considered vulnerable.[4]

Bersama abyssinica produces a hard, heavy wood that is used in the construction of houses in West Africa.[5]

References
  1. "Bersama abyssinica Fresen". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
  2. "Bersama abyssinica Fresen. subsp. abyssinica Fresen. [family MELIANTHACEAE]". Aluka. Retrieved 2007-12-03.
  3. Mikkelsen, K. S.; O. Seberg (2001). "Morphometric analysis of the Bersama abyssinica Fresen. complex (Melianthaceae) in East Africa". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 227 (3–4): 157–182. doi:10.1007/s006060170046.
  4. Lovett, J. & Clarke, G.P. (1998) Bersama rosea. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Archived June 27, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Downloaded on 20 August 2007.
  5. Heywood, V. H. (ed.) (1993). Flowering Plants of the World (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 191–192.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)


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