Velvet Leaf Soldierbush

argentea: silvery; possibly referring to the colour of the leaves

Erect shrub or small tree to 4 m; branches bearing prominent leaf scars. Leaves ± sessile, spirally arranged, crowded near the apices, 7-22 × 4-11 cm, ovate or obovate, sometimes rhombic, greyish and velvety; apex rounded. Inflorescence a terminal panicle or corymb of numerous flowers. Corolla lobes c. 1 mm long, white. Fruit c. 5 × 7 mm, subspherical, glabrous.

Locally common

In Africa, occurring in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique and in the islands of the Indian Ocean; widespread elsewhere in the tropics.