About Keetia gueinzii (Sond.) Bridson
Keetia gueinzii (Sond.) Bridson is an evergreen scandent shrub belonging to the Rubiaceae plant family. Its species epithet honors Wilhelm Gueinzius, a German naturalist who collected plant specimens in South Africa. After the original type species of the genus Keetia, Keetia transvaalensis, was reclassified as a synonym, Keetia gueinzii became the new type species for the genus. This species occurs along the southern African east coast, where it is found in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa. It grows at altitudes between 800 and 2200 meters. Young branches of this species are covered in rust-colored hairs. Its leaves measure 5.5–13.5 cm by 3.5–6 cm, and have a shape ranging from roughly lanceolate to ovate, with an acuminate apex and a base that is rounded to cordate. Leaves are often bullate, and can be hairless to pubescent on their lower surface. Acarodomatia are present in the axils of the leaf veins. Petioles are covered with crisped or spreading hairs. The fruit measures 7–9 mm by 11–14 mm, is somewhat oblong in side profile, is hairless, and turns black when fully ripe.
