Ochna atropurpurea
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Ochna atropurpurea
Ochna atropurpurea
Ochna atropurpurea is a beautiful shrub with bright yellow flowers and purple fruits. It is often found in gardens and parks, making it a lovely addition to nature's colors.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Ochna atropurpurea is a captivating shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and vibrant yellow flowers that appear in spring. After blooming, the sepals turn bright red, cradling shiny black berries, giving it a unique, 'Mickey Mouse' appearance.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalpighialesFamilyOchnaceaeGenusOchna
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
After its sunny yellow petals fall, the plant often becomes even more colorful!
It's sometimes called 'Carnival Bush' because of its festive red and black fruits!
Its bright red sepals act like tiny flags, guiding birds to its tasty seeds!
The red parts holding the seeds are actually modified leaves, not petals!
Special abilities
Ability
Persistent Charms
Ochna atropurpurea has bright red sepals that remain vibrant after flowers fade, helping to attract birds to its ripening black fruits for seed dispersal.
Ability
Thirsty Survivor
Ochna atropurpurea can endure dry spells thanks to its robust root system, allowing it to thrive in less watered environments.
Ability
Seed Scatterer
Ochna atropurpurea produces numerous seeds within its fruit, allowing it to readily self-seed and establish new plants effectively.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-200 cm
- Spread
- 100-150 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring-Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
eats
Olive Thrush
Turdus olivaceus
Feeds on the ripe black berries, helping spread seeds.
eats
Cape Bulbul
Pycnonotus capensis
Consumes the small black fruits, aiding in seed dispersal.
pollinates
African Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa caffra
Efficiently pollinates the Ochna's bright yellow blossoms.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Fruit Bearing
Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Mickey Mouse Plant
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look, but don't touch plants without asking an adult first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Ochna atropurpurea?
100-200 cm
How wide does Ochna atropurpurea spread?
100-150 cm
How big are the flowers on Ochna atropurpurea?
2-3 cm
When does Ochna atropurpurea bloom?
Spring-Summer
Is Ochna atropurpurea edible?
No
Is Ochna atropurpurea toxic?
None
What is Ochna atropurpurea's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Ochna atropurpurea pollinated?
Insect
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