Nymania capensis (Chinese Lantern)

Nymania capensis (Chinese Lantern) cream fruit close up on slender branch with green narrow leaves

Botanical name: Nymania capensis

Common names: Chinese Lantern, Klapper

Family: Meliaceae

Origin: South Africa

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 8-11?

USDA Plant Hardiness MapLarge shrub 5-10 ft tallFull sunModerate waterPink flowers

Nymania capensis is known in English as "Chinese Lantern" because of the shape of its bright, colorful fruit, and in Afrikaans as "klapper" (meaning "firecracker" because children sometimes pop the capsules for fun).

The genus has variously been assigned to the families Sapindaceae, Aitoniaceae, and Meliaceae. The correct assignment also is under review.

The plant has been reported to have been used in folk medicine.


Nymania capensis (Chinese Lantern) brown round seeds on white background, close up.
Nymania capensis (Chinese Lantern) cream fruit on a woody plant with thin green leaves
Nymania capensis (Chinese Lantern) cream fruit close up showing unique papery texture on a branch


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/nymania_capensis.htm
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