Curtisia

Curtisia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Cornales
Family: Curtisiaceae
Takht.[4]
Genus: Curtisia
Aiton
Species:
C. dentata
Binomial name
Curtisia dentata

Curtisia dentata (commonly known as the Assegai tree or Cape lancewood, Afrikaans: Assegaai, Xhosa: Umgxina, Zulu: Umagunda)[5] is a flowering tree from Southern Africa. It is the sole species in genus Curtisia, which was originally classed as a type of "dogwood" (Cornaceae), but is now placed in its own unique family Curtisiaceae.

It is increasingly popular as an ornamental tree for gardens, with dark glossy foliage and sprays of pure white berries. The bark of this tree is a very popular component of traditional African medicine, leading to overexploitation and a decline in the species in some areas of South Africa.[6] The tree is protected in South Africa.[5]

  1. ^ Barstow, M., Beech, E., Harvey-Brown, Y., Wilson, B. & Rivers, M.C. 2019. Curtisia dentata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T126025311A126025322. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T126025311A126025322.en. Accessed on 30 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Curtisia dentata (Burm.f.) C.A.Sm". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  3. ^ "Curtisia dentata (Burm. fil.) C. A. Sm". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  4. ^ Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (2009). "An update of the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group classification for the orders and families of flowering plants: APG III". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 161 (2): 105–121. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8339.2009.00996.x. hdl:10654/18083.
  5. ^ a b "Protected Trees" (PDF). Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Republic of South Africa. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-07-05.
  6. ^ Curtisia dentata in BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database