Small fruited olax

Small-fruited olax (Olax dissitiflora): This stiff shrub is a member of the Sourplum family, growing up to 6m high in dense dry woodland that inhabit Kalahari sand and along riverbanks. It is only found in the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip), mainly in Bwabwata NP. Features include bendy, drooping branches, grey to brown-grey bark and green leaves. Their small white flowers are on show from September to October and the fleshy stone-fruit is orange to red when ripe.

Many of these species are damaged by elephants. The yellow-brown to pale brown wood is very hard and heavy. A number of butterfly species are attracted to the small-fruited olax including Bars, Borders and the Cambridge Vagrant.