Blue Leaved Ochna

glauca: glaucous, bluish-green, referring to the distinct colour of the leaves.

Straggling shrub or small tree. Bark dark grey, smooth. Leaves alternate or in small clusters on dwarf lateral branchlets, elliptic-oblong to obovate, usually c. 3 × 2 cm,sometimes larger, distinctly blue-green, numerous veins conspicuous on both surfaces; margin finely toothed. Flowers in axillary clusters on the lateral branchlets, bright yellow, very short-lived but showy, appearing before the leaves. Fruit up 5 drupes, c. 9 × 6 mm, attached near the base, purple-black, surrounded by the reflexed persistent sepals, red at first, turning yellow-brown later.

Restricted to Southwest Zimbabwe, just entering into northern S Africa and eastern Botswana.