Namibian puzzle bush

Namibian Puzzle-bush (Ehretia namibiensis): This shrub grows up to 3.5m high along Namibian watercourses in the north of the country. Their main range is around the Otavi, Grootfontein and Tsumeb regions. It also grows around Epupa Falls south to Palmwag. The bark is light grey and the leaves a dull yellowish-green. Small, bell-shaped lavender blue or light mauve flowers bloom from October to January and again in late summer. Fruit berries are usually hairless and produce 4 stones. The Common Hottentot Skipper uses the Namibian puzzle-bush as a larval host-plant.