Potato Bush

Gebel Elba.

Perennial.

Cells are 12.7 microns long. The body is oval, depressed, slightly narrower anteriorly, surface smooth; in lateral view thicker posteriorly, and gradually narrowing towards the anterior end; the ventral surface flat or slightly concave; flagella inserted close to the anterior extremity, equally slender, about twice the length of the body.

Usually a much-branched semi-scandent shrub, rarely a small tree. Leaves ovate-oblong to elliptic, produced on short lateral branchlets, giving the impression of compound leaves. Flowers in clusters on short axillary branchlets, small, yellowish, sexes separate on the same plant, flowering before or with the new leaves. The flowering shoots and pedicels are covered in short, velvety hairs. Fruit berry-like, blackish when ripe.

Frequent

Almost throughout the Paleotropics.