Sweet Root Corkwood

neglecta: neglected,referring to its relatively late discovery and description as a species (1952).

Small deciduous tree, often branching near the base of the trunk. Bark green, smooth, green, peeling in straw-coloured strips; short lateral branchlets spine-tipped; watery sap present. Leaves clustered on the short branchlets, 3-foliolate with a petiole up to 4.5 cm long; leaflets, obovate, up to 6 × 3.5 cm, terminal, lateral leaflets smaller, mostly hairless; margin finely toothed or scalloped in the upper half. Flowers small, cup-shaped, yellow, in clusters on the spur-branchlets, appearing before or with the new leaves. Fruit subspherical, c. 1.2 cm in diameter, hairless, bright red when ripe. Seeds black with a red, 4-armed pseudaril.

Very rare

Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern KaZulu-Natal, South Africa.