Observations on the two forms of Apodytes dimidiata (Tuesday, 9 May 2017)

Apodytes dimidiata is a widespread tree species and is common along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, extending well into the Eastern Cape. The southern form can produce spectacular displays when in fruit and the black fruits with their fleshy red appendage are readily eaten by birds. This is the more common form of this species but along the Zululand coastal plain, there is a form in which the fleshy appendage is black.

Apodtes dimidiata in flower (Umtamvuna Nature Reserve)

 

Flowers of Apodytes dimidiata. The flowers of both forms seem similar

 

Typical Apodytes dimidiata fruits

A tree covered in many such clusters of fruit can be spectacular

The photographs below depict the two forms showing clusters of fruit amongst leaves, the upper and lower surfaces of a leaf and a closeup of the fruits of the two forms together. It is interesting to note that in southern KZN, where the black form occurs only as a garden planting, the local bird communities fail to recognise the edibility of the fruits.

Apodytes dimidiata (Zululand form)

Apodytes dimidiata ("Normal" form)

 

Apodytes dimidiata  ("normal" form leaf upper surface)

Apodytes dimidiata ("normal" form leaf lower surface)

Apodytes dimidiata (Zululand form leaf upper surface)

Apodytes dimidiata (Zululand form leaf lower surface)

Fruits of both forms of A. dimidiata.
Note: the fleshy appendage of the Zululand form seems smaller.