Kimolwet
Vangueria madagascariensis
Observed on heavily grazed rangeland west of Eldoret, Kenya. April 2013.
I found groups of a colorful spittlebugs on the stems with both adults and froth-covered nymphs present. These feed on the plant's sap through piercing-sucking mouthparts.
Spittle Bug
Some Vangueria species are reported to contain poisons that can make
cattle or goats ill thus this plant can grow lushly on pastures where there is
too heavy grazing - the animals know to avoid it. The woody portions rise to
several meters in height and support dense dark green foliage. The leaves are
opposite on the stems and the leaf margins are smooth. The stipules at the base
of the leaves are fused and for this species are elongated into a narrow
appendage. The flowers are borne in clusters and give rise to spherical fruits, orange-red in color, containing about four seeds, and with edible floesh.
Rubiaceae -- Madder Family
