Burchellia

Burchellia is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. The genus contains only one species, viz. Burchellia bubalina, which is endemic to southern Africa: the Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Provinces in South Africa, and Eswatini.[1] It is commonly known as “wild pomegranate” (English) or “wildegranaat” (Afrikaans).[2]

Burchellia bubalina is a small shrub or tree up to 8 metres tall. It has red flowers, grey-green bark and dark green leaves.[3]

The species is widely cultivated in frost-free gardens as an ornamental tree and has become a weed in some regions.[4]

The name of the genus was given in honour of William John Burchell, an African explorer.