Compilation
Balanites australis

Much-branched shrub or small tree with pendulous branches, up to 6 m. or more high, variable in shape and size. Branches yellowish or greyish-green or grey, rather stiff, usually spiny, younger parts densely puberulous, glabrous when older; spines rather stout, simple. Leaves shortly petiolate; leaflets sessile, 1–3 (4) × 0·5–2·3 (3) cm., obovate, broadly obovate, obcuneate or rarely obovate-elliptic, apex rounded, rarely subtruncate, entire or slightly retuse, base always narrowly cuneate, subsucculent, very shortly and densely puberulous to subtomentose when young, later glabrescent; secondary nerves 3–5 pairs, not very prominent beneath; petiole 1·5–4 (6) mm. long, rather stout, ± densely pubescent at first, later glabrescent. Flowers c. 1·4 cm. in diam., in few- to many-flowered sessile or rarely shortly pedunculate fascicles; pedicels up to 2 cm. long, fairly stout, ± densely puberulous, very rarely glabrous. Sepals 6·5–7·5 × 3·2–5 mm., ovate to ovate-lanceolate, coriaceous, densely tomentellous outside, with long whitish silky hairs inside, acute, caducous. Petals 6·7–9 × (2·5) 2·8–3·4 mm., narrowly elliptic with an acutish apex, glabrous on both surfaces. Stamens with oblong anthers 2–2·8 mm. long; filaments c. 3·75 mm. long. Ovary densely covered with whitish silky hairs. Drupe orange, subglobose or broadly ellipsoid, usually somewhat flattened on both ends, 1·2–2·5 × 1·5–2 cm., finely puberulous when young, later usually glabrescent.