Coddia rudis

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Coddia rudis is usually a short, aromatic, evergreen, dense, multi-stemmed and fairly fast growing shrub.

Coddia is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the Rubiaceae family. The genus contains only one species, Coddia rudis, which is native to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa.

Coddia rudis is a dense multi-stemmed shrub. The main stem is usually short, with arching branches. It grows stiffly upwards, outwards and finally downwards. The bark is dark grey and has no spines. It forms a compact shrub.

The leaves are opposite or borne in dense clusters on dwarf side twigs. The flowers are fragrant, small, white turning yellow with age and are borne in axillary groups in the leaf axils. They appear just as the new leaves start sprouting in spring.

The plant is useful for planting around the edges of the property to form a green or colorful backdrop, to hide walls or to create privacy. It can also be used as container plant or ornamental plant.

It can tolerate the effect of strong wind, and also survives long periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water. The specific name is derived from the Latin word rudis meaning rough, coarse or rustic. It is adapted to dry, sandy soil, strong wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.

Coddia rudis attracts insects such as bees and butterflies for pollination and in turn the insects become food for birds and other creatures.

The fruits are greenish-brown, roundish. They are eaten by people and birds.

Coddia rudis grows easily from seed.