Download GEKCO Arbor Day Tree Descriptions

GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
A guide to the
Trees & Plants for sale in 2013
Introduction: Arbor Day is a holiday where groups of people are encouraged to plant as many trees as
possible.
Trees and plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen which gives us the air we breathe and their ability to
photosynthesize (Sunlight- Energy) is the energy source of all life. Most animals cannot convert sunlight to
energy and thus rely on eating plants and trees to access the energy they need to survive. Carnivores depend
on getting their energy from herbivores and are therefore indirectly dependent on trees and plants (and so are
we!). Trees also provide shelter for many species while all plants and trees provide shade to protect the soil
from drying out in the heat of the sun. Trees and plants drink water from deep underground and release this
water into the atmosphere through transpiration; this moisture then condenses to become rain. So in reality
trees are the source of all life and thus planting as many as possible is an investment in our futures.
A number of indigenous trees & plants which are perfectly designed to thrive in Johannesburg have been
selected. Biodiversity is very important to the success of an ecosystem so plant as many different species as
possible, in order to attract the largest range of species to your garden.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Acacia galpinii.........................pg 2
Aloe arborescens....................pg 4
Anisodontea classic serice.......pg 7
Buddleja auriculata.................pg 10
Buddleja saligna..................... pg 12
Buddleja salviifolia................. pg 14
Calpurnia aurea...................... pg 16
Celtis Africana........................ pg 19
Combretum erythrophyllum... pg 22
Combretum kraussii............... pg 24
Croton gratissimus................. pg 26
Dais cotinifolia....................... pg 28
Dodonaea angustifolia........... pg 30
Dombeya rotundifolia............ pg 33
Dovyalis caffra........................ pg 35
Duvernoia aconitiflora............ pg 37
Duvernoia adhatodoides........ pg 38
Ehretia rigida.......................... pg 40
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
1
Grewia occidentalis................. pg 43
Halleria lucida......................... pg 45
Heteropyxis natalensis............ pg 48
Indigofera jucunda.................. pg 50
Ilex mitis................................. pg 53
Kiggelaria Africana.................. pg 55
Noltea Africana....................... pg 57
Olea Africana.......................... pg 58
Peltophorum africanum.......... pg 60
Plumbago auriculata............... pg 62
Podocarpus henkelii............... pg 65
Podocarpus latifolius.............. pg 68
Podocarpus falcatus................ pg 72
Searsia lancea......................... pg 74
Searsia leptodycta.................. pg 77
Tarchonanthus camphorates... pg 80
Tecoma capensis..................... pg 82
Ziziphus mucronata................. pg 84
References……………………………….pg 89
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Acacia galpinii
Family name: Fabaceae (pod-bearing plant family)
Common names: monkey-thorn (Eng.), Tshikwalo (Tshivenda), apiesdoring (Afr.),
Molopa (North Sotho)
SA tree number: 166
This is a large tree with luxuriant, light green foliage, making it ideal for a big garden, avenue
or park. It is also valued by farmers.
Description
Acacia galpinii is a deciduous tree, losing its leaves
during the southern African winter (April-July). It is
fast-growing and can reach 25-30 m. Creamy to light
yellow flowers appear during the growing season
(September-October). Reddish to purplish brown
pods ripen during February-March. Acacia
galpinii is often confused with Acacia
polyacantha from which it can be distinguished by
the gland on the leaf stalk: small in A. galpinii and
large in A. polyacantha.
Distribution
Monkey-thorn grows naturally in open, wooded grassland, open woodland and often near
streams. It is indigenous to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, northern and eastern Botswana and
South Africa. In South Africa, Acacia galpinii occurs naturally in Limpopo [Northern
Province] and the North-West. It is seen as an indicator of sweet veld, which retains its
2
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
nutritional value in winter.
Name derivation:
The name Acacia is derived from the Greek word 'akis', meaning a point or a spike, referring
to the thorns in many Acacia species. The South African species are armed with spines. Most
of introduced species from Australia are spineless. The species was named in honour of
Ernest Galpin (1854-1941), a plant collector. Monkeys like taking cover in its wide branches
and may also eat the pods and seeds, hence the common name.
There are about 1 340 species in this genus of which 954 are indigenous to Australia, 230 to
the Americas, 129 to Africa and some species scattered in Asia. This very large, pan-tropical
genus occurs mainly in dry country.
Ecology and uses
Many insects such as bees and wasps visit the flowers. Ripe fruit pods burst open, releasing
the seeds. Seeds are also dispersed by animals eating the pods.
Acacia galpinii is one of the trees that can survive hot and dry
conditions. It makes a stunning tree along roads where there is
enough space. It is an ideal tree for a big garden. In the wild
the plant is grazed and used for shade during the hot summer
by different animals including giraffe, kudu and elephant.
Many birds often prefer nesting in this tree as it provides
protection. It provides dappled shade on hot summer days,
making it an ideal tree for planting on a lawn where some sun
can penetrate.
Growing Acacia galpinii
Monkey-thorn is easy to propagate from seed that is not parasitized. Like other plants
belonging to the Fabaceae, seed of this tree must be soaked in hot water overnight and then
sown the next day. Seed must be sown in a seedling tray filled with river sand. To avoid
unnecessary moisture loss, the seed can be covered with vermiculite. Seedlings are fairly fastgrowing but must be protected from frost probably for the first growing season. Although it is
frost-tolerant, severe frost often kills off tender young branches. The tree prefers full sun. Do
not plant it too close to buildings as it has extensive roots.
3
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Aloe arborescens
Family: Asphodelaceae (asphodel family)
Common names: krantz aloe (English), kransaalwyn (Afrikaans), ikalene (Xhosa),
inkalane or umhlabana (Zulu)
The krantz aloe is a valuable garden asset, it has large beautiful flowers, attractive
foliage, decorative form, and it is easy to grow. It is also a 'must-have' for anyone
wanting to stock their herb gardens with indigenous healing plants.
Description
The krantz aloe develops into a multiheaded shrub 2 -3m
high with striking grey green leaves arranged in attractive
rosettes. The leaf margins are armed with conspicuous pale
teeth.
The large colourful flower spikes are
borne in profusion during the cold
winter months (May-July), brightening
up a drab winter garden. Deep orange
is the most common colour, but there
are also pure yellow forms, and an
unusual bi-coloured form of deep
orange (almost red) and yellow. The
inflorescence is usually unbranched, with two to several arising
from a single rosette. As with all the aloes, the flowers produce
nectar and are attractive to many kinds of birds, in particular the small and colourful
sunbirds, which flit from flower to flower in search of nectar. The flowers also attract
bees.
The species formerly known as Aloe mutabilis is now regarded as a synonym of Aloe
arborescens. It is a cliff dwelling form with smaller, less branched rosettes and red &
yellow bi-coloured flower spikes and is more evident on the high inland plateau of the
4
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
northern provinces of South Africa. This cliff dwelling form of Aloe arborescens can
be seen hanging from the cliffs alongside the waterfall at the Witwatersrand National
Botanical Garden.
Although it is in fact a large much-branched shrub, Aloe arborescens has been
allocated a national tree number (28.1).
Distribution
This species is distributed mainly over the eastern, summer rainfall areas of the
country. It has the third widest distribution of any aloe, occurring from the Cape
Peninsula along the eastern coast, through KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo
province and further north into Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. It is one of the
few aloes that can be found growing at sea level right up to the tops of mountains. The
krantz aloe is adapted to many habitats, but is usually found in mountainous areas
where it favours exposed ridges and rocky outcrops. It is also found in dense bush.
Derivation of the name & historical aspects
The name aloe is from the Greek alsos and refers to the bitter juice from the leaves of
these plants. It is probably derived from the earlier Arabic word alloeh or the Hebrew
word allal, both meaning bitter. The Latin word arborescens means tree-forming or
tree-like, and is a bit misleading in that this aloe is not really tree-like, but the name
was originally applied to this species in reference to the stem-forming habit. The
common name krantz aloe refers to its habitat, a krantz being a rocky ridge or cliff.
Aloe arborescens is one of approximately 130 Aloe species native to southern Africa. It
is possibly the most widely cultivated aloe in the world and can be seen grown in
gardens in many cities around the world. It was one of the first South African aloes
collected and planted in the Company's Garden in Cape Town. It was grown in
Amsterdam by Professor Commelin in 1674, and featured in Hort. Amst. 2 in 1701.
Uses and cultural aspects
In many parts of South Africa Aloe arborescens is planted around kraals (domestic
stock enclosures) as a living fence. It often happens that the position of old kraals can
still be seen many years after they have been abandoned because the aloes persist.
Cuttings intended for use as barrier plants are sold in muthi shops.
The Zulu people use the leaves of this plant, dried and pounded into a powder, as a
protection against storms. Decoctions of the leaves are also used in childbirth and in
treating sick calves. In the Transkei it is used for stomach ache and given to chickens
to prevent them from getting sick. In the Orient, this aloe is grown in domestic gardens
as a convenient first-aid treatment for burn wounds and abrasions. In fact it was only
after it was used to treat irradiation burn victims of Hiroshima that its healing
properties received attention from the West. Extracts from the leaves have been widely
investigated since then and shown significant wound healing, anti-bacterial, anti-ulcer,
anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, hypoglycaemic and also alopoeic activity. The
leaves have also been found to have purgative properties and the leaf sap is reported to
relieve x-ray burns.
5
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Growing Aloe arborescens
The krantz aloe is an easy and rewarding plant to grow, and is a popular garden plant in
many countries. It enjoys full sun, well-drained, compost-enriched soil and can tolerate
moderate frost but is sensitive to severe frost. It is fast-growing, and it will tolerate
drought and neglect once established. It is grown mainly as an ornamental or as an
accent plant, but is also an excellent and impenetrable hedge plant.
The krantz aloe is easily propagated from a branch or stem cut off, allowed to dry for a
day or so until the wound has sealed, and then planted in well-drained soil or sand.
They need not be rooted in any particular place and then transplanted, but can be
placed directly into their permanent place in the garden. It is important to remember
not to water the cuttings too heavily; overwatering may cause them to rot. This aloe
can also be grown from seed, sown in spring. Seed should take three to four weeks to
germinate, and the seedlings must be protected from frost.
Aloe arborescens hybridises readily with other aloes.
6
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Anisondontea capensis
Common names: George Mallow, Hairy
Mallow. Georgemalva, harige malva,
wildestokroos.
Distribution: Anisodontea capensis is part
of the fynbos flora of the Cape Province of
South Africa.
Habitat: Anisodontea capensis is found on
the arid upper slopes of hills.
Identification: Among mallows commonly
grown Anisodontea capensis is only likely to
be confused with its near relative A.
scabrosa and their hybrid A. ×hypomadarum. A. capensis and A. ×hypomadarum are
confused in horticulture, both plants being met with under either name. I understand that A.
×hypomadarum has markedly larger flowers.
Technical Description
Erect, branched, perennial subshrub, to 100-180cm, hispid on most parts. Stems branched,
green, or purplish-reddish-brown, aging to a greyish-brown, hispid with simple hairs, to about
0.75 mm; foliage alternate, stipulate and petiolate; stipules small, 1-2 mm in length,
divergent-ascending, triangular-ovate, apparently glabrous; petioles up to 2.5 cm long, green,
and hispid; laminae simple, truncate, ovate, strongly and ternately 3-lobed, 3- nerved, lobes
triangular to elliptical (elliptical on larger leaves), irregularly dentate, hispid on veins of
upper and lower surfaces, ciliate at base, to 6½ cm long by 6½ cm wide, much smaller on
side shoots; juvenile foliage with laminae orbicular, cordate, 5-nerved and -angled;
inflorescence indeterminate, a raceme; flowers hermaphrodite, protandrous, involucellate,
borne horizontally or slightly nodding, singly, in the axils of upper leaves and of leaves of
side shoots; pedicels hispid, to 4 cm, articulated approximately 1 cm below distal end;
bracteoles 3, asymmetrically disposed, free, lanceolate, tomentose, 6 mm long, apex obtuse,
ciliate, about 1mm below the calyx; calyx valvate in aestivation, sepals 5, flat at anthesis,
enclosing the schizocarp in fruit, connate for about one third their length, triangular-ovate,
acuminate, densely hispid, ciliate; corolla convolute in aestivation, petals 5, spirally arranged,
spatulate, asymmetric, non-overlapping, hypogynous, adnate at the base to the staminal
column, apex rounded, 15 mm long, pale pink with darker, branching, veining on upper side
towards the base, claw white; staminal column white, about 10 mm long, antheriferous in the
upper third; filaments pink, anthers black, reniform, unilocular; ovary white; style branches
circa 11, red, filiform, as many as the locules, stigmas purple-red, capitellate; fruit
schizocarpous, verticillate; mericarps not seen; seed not seen.
Description
An erect perennial sub-shrub, growing to 3-6 ft in height. The vegetative parts have a sparse
covering of simple hairs.
7
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
The stems are upright and branched. They are green or a purplish-reddish-brown, aging to a
greyish-brown. They have a sparse covering of simple hairs.
The leaves are borne alternately (one per
node), subtended by two stipules. They
are simple, ovate, palmately veined,
deeply 3-lobed, and toothed, with a
truncate base, and are borne on petioles up
to 1" in length. They are up to 2½" in
length and breadth, but can be much
smaller. They bear simple hairs along the
veins, on both faces, and ciliate hairs
along the margin towards the base.
The petioles have a covering of hairs
similar to that of the stems, but more
prominent.
The stipules are ascending, triangularovate, small (1 to 2 mm in length).
The flowers are smallish, about 1" in
diameter, and are borne in clusters in the
leaf axil, throughout summer.
They consist of an epicalyx of 3 segments,
a calyx of 5 sepals, a corolla of 5 petals,
an androecium and a gynoecium.
8
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
The pedicel is about 4cm long, and is
articulated about 1cm below the flower,
green, with a sparse covering of simple
hairs.
The bracteoles (epicalyx segments) are
lanceolate with a fringe of hairs. They are
about ¼" long, unfused, and attached to
the pedicel about 1mm below the sepals.
The sepals are ovate. They are fused for
about one third of their length. They are
ciliate and densely hispid.
The petals are pale pink fading to white on
the claw, with darker veining on the upper
side towards the base. The intensity of the
veining varies seasonally, been less
intense in the spring.They are about 1520mm long, with have rounded apices,
and a narrow claw, which is fused to the
staminal column, at the base.
The staminal column is about 10 mm
long, and is white it colour. The free
filaments are pink, and the anthers black.
The style arms number about 11. They are
pink, darkening towards their ends. The
stigmas are small red globes.
The fruit is a schizocarp. Given that the
style has circa 11 branches it is expected
that the fruit has the same number of
mericarps.
Cultivation: Anisodontea capensis may be propagated by seed or cuttings. Seed can be sown
on the surface of a seed compost, or lightly covered with vermiculite. (I found germination to
be fair, taking a few weeks; however this was from seed collected from a late flush of flowers
which might not have fully matured.) I have succesfully taken tip cuttings in late summer.
Anisodontea capensis can be grown as a border, patio or greenhouse shrub. In the first case I
have found it to be winter-hardy, with some loss of top-growth, but would not be confident
that it would survive a severe winter. Grown indoors it continues in growth at 50-55°F in a
British winter, unlike many hardier malvaceous plants which cease growth under those
conditions.
9
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Buddleja auriculata
Family: Loganiaceae
Common names: Weeping sage, treursalie (Afr.), Utile (Xhosa)
A lovely strong fragrance filling the air tells you that Buddleja auriculata, the
evergreen weeping sage has anticipated spring long before you have- it comes as a real
surprise in the middle of winter!
Description
This shrub or small tree has beautiful glossy
foliage: its leaves are deep-green above and
silver below. Profuse spikes of tiny, tubular,
sweetly-scented cream, orange or lilac flowers
appear in July (mid-winter) to September
(spring) on the ends of the 'weeping' branches.
The fruit is a tiny, creamy brown capsule that
splits at the tip (June to September).
Natural distribution
This shrub occurs naturally on mountain
slopes, in rocky ravines, and on forest
margins, from Eastern Cape to Zimbabwe.
Name derivation
The genus is named after the Rev. Adam
Buddle (1660-1715), an English botanist,
and auriculata means having an ear-like
appendage and refers to the stipule between
the leaves which resembles a small ear. There
are seven species of Buddleja in South Africa.
They are mostly shrubby and can sometimes
10
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
become small trees. Among those making good garden plants are Buddleja
saligna and Buddleja salvifolia .
Ecology
The flowers attract many butterflies and other insects, which in turn become food for
insectivorous birds like the southern boubou and Cape robin.
Growing Buddleja auriculata
This plant is easily propagated from
hardwood cuttings. Shapely and graceful (4 ×
4 m) Buddleja auriculata looks particularly
attractive planted near water, perhaps next to
a large dam or pond. The thick foliage could
provide safe shelter for birds. Use it in a large
mixed shrub border, or to form a screen, or as
an informal hedge. It is suitable for medium
to large gardens, any place that can
accommodate its spread. This plant performs
well in the Pretoria area, forming a neatish,
dense, weeping shrub, but it does not fare as
well in the Lowveld. It grows well in the
Western Cape too, often flowering earlier
and growing more upright.
Frost- and drought-resistant, this fastgrowing shrub will probably grow well in
most soils, but add plenty of compost and
fertilizer (slow-release 3:2:1 or 3:1:5), and
water regularly, for better results. Give less
water in winter (June to end August). It
tolerates pruning well, but this is usually
unnecessary if enough room has been
allowed for it to spread comfortably. A little shade will not be a problem, but it prefers
a sunny spot. It can handle temperatures ranging from about -5°C to 38°C.
11
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Buddleja saligna
Common names: False Olive (English); Witolien (Afrikaans); umBatacwepe (Siswati);
Lelothwane (South Sotho) Mothlware (Tswana); unGqeba (Xhosa) iGqeba-elimhlope
(Zulu)
Family: Buddlejaceae
The false olive is a tree up to 10m tall in warm moist areas but usually 4 to 5 metres in
Highveld areas. Its young stems are four angled and covered with white velvety hairs. The
older stems and trunks are creamy or grey to dark brown
and fluted with the bark peeling in longitudinal strips. The
genus was named in honour of an amateur botanist Rev
Adam Buddle (1660-1715). Saligna is a reference to the
leaves being willow like.
The leaves are long and narrow - somewhat similar to the
olive from which it gets its common name - but more
textured. The leaf upper surface is hairless and dark green,
the underside is whitish with prominently raised venation.
The flowers are tiny, creamy white and borne in dense
sprays usually at the ends of branches. The flowers have a
lovely honey scent and appear from spring to summer
(August- January). The seeds are minute, forming in small,
hairy capsules which develop in the dried out flowers.
(October - March)
The false olive is widespread in South Africa, from the
Western Cape through to Zimbabwe, extending inland
from the coast to central South Africa and the Kalahari
thornveld in the northwest. The habitats are very varied. It is found growing on dry
hillsides, in mixed scrub, wooded valleys, forest margins, along streams and in coastal bush.
The plant is used for traditional medicinal purposes, the roots as a purgative and the leaves
12
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
to treat coughs and colds. The wood is very fine grained and was used to make small pieces
of furniture. The straight branches were used to make fence posts. The false olive was used
to make asseggai handles. It also makes good fuel wood as it burns with an intense heat.
The large amounts of pollen and nectar it produces makes it popular with bee farmers.
Growing Buddleja saligna
This fast growing tree is an excellent, quick screen plant. It grows up to 800mm per year.
Use it as a pioneer tree for your forest garden. It also makes a very good clipped hedge.
There is a fine example of a hedge in the Waterwise Garden at the Witwatersrand National
Botanical Garden. It is evergreen, frost hardy and drought resistant and the masses of
flowers make a lovely spring and summer show. It will grow in most soils but added
compost will improve performance. It may need cutting back after flowering to keep tidy.
The false olive does not have an aggressive root system.
The flowers attract insects (especially moths) and therefore insect feeding birds such as
robins and apalises to the garden.
Buddleja saligna is easily grown from seed or cuttings. The seed is very fine and should be
mixed with sand to obtain an even distribution. Sow in a good, fine seedling mix in seedling
trays. To water after sowing, stand the tray in a clean, shallow container of water and allow
to soak up into seed tray. Remove once the surface is wet. Germination may not take place
all at the same time although most seed should have germinated after four weeks.
Transplant into black bags, taking care to water well afterwards.
13
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Buddleja salviifolia
Family name: Buddlejaceae
Common names: Sagewood
Buddleja was named in honor of the Rev. Adam Buddle, an English botanist of the
17th century. The species name 'salviifolia' refers to the leaves that resemble those
of Salvia farinacea.
This shrub is widespread and common in from the Western Cape through the Eastern
Cape to Free State, Lesotho, Kwazulu Natal, Swaziland, Northern Province,
Mpumalanga, Mozambique, Zimbabwe to tropical Africa. It grows naturally in forest
margins, rocky hillsides and along stream banks on
the escarpment.
Buddleja salviifolia is a semi-evergreen bushy shrub
that grows up to 4m high under favorable
conditions. Its leaves are dark green and
conspicuously wrinkled and puckered above,
densely covered with whitish or brown hairs below.
Leaves can be broadly or narrowly long. Masses of
small, white to lilac blooms are borne in large
panicles. The flowers are sweetly scented and vary
in colour from dull to clear white to almost true
purple. Flowering occurs from August to October
(spring).
Buddleja salviifolia attracts many insects such as bees, butterflies and birds. In a
garden design sagewood is useful as a framework or background plant. It is very
decorative when in flower. If pruned often, it makes an excellent hedge. Besides its use
in horticulture, this plant has other economic uses. Its leaves are browsed by game.
Fresh and dried leaves make an aromatic herbal tea. A decoction of roots provides a
remedy for cough and for relief of colic while an infusion of the leaves is applied as an
eye lotion.
14
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Growing Buddleia salviifolia
Sagewood can be propagated easily from seeds and cuttings. The fastest way of
propagation is through cuttings. Hardwood cuttings can be taken during the active
phase of growth and must be treated with a root stimulating hormone powder. Cuttings
should be planted in washed river sand and kept moist for three to four weeks. Rooted
cuttings can be planted in nursery bags in a well-drained growth media. Young plants
must be protected from frost for the first season whereas well established sagewood
can withstand frost and drought. Sagewood grows easily in any soil, but adding
compost will give better results.
Seven species of Buddleja occur in southern Africa. They are B. auriculata, B.
dysophylla, B. glomerata, B. loricata, B. pulchella, B. saligna and B. salviifolia.
15
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Calpurnia aurea
Family: Fabaceae (Pea & Bean Family)
Common Names : Common Calpurnia, Calpurnia, Wild Laburnum, Natal Laburnum,
Cape Laburnum (E), Geelkeurboom, Geelkeur, Natalse Geelkeur (A), inDloli,
umSitshana (X), umKhiphampethu, inSiphane-enkulu, umHlahlambedu,
umLalandlovana (Z)
With decorative foliage, showy yellow flowers and a graceful habit, Calpurnia aurea is
an asset in any garden.
Description
A multi-stemmed shrub or a small graceful
slender evergreen tree 2 - 4 m tall with a light,
open crown. The leaves are compound, up to
20cm long, each having 5-15 pairs of leaflets and
a terminal one. The leaflets are oblong 2.5-5cm
long with a lopsided base and a rounded or
notched apex. They are a fresh light green,
graceful and drooping.
The flowers are bright yellow, each about 2.5 cm
long, in showy hanging bunches of 8 to 30 flowers. They appear
irregularly throughout the year. In summer-rainfall areas the peak
flowering period is mid-late summer (Dec-Feb), but in the winterrainfall Western Cape, particularly during hot dry summers like the
one we've just had, they don't flower well in summer but start up
again in the autumn. They are typical pea flowers with the
banner/standard, keel and wing petals characteristic of the family.
The fruit is a thin pod drying light brown with a papery texture, 512 cm long and 0.8-1.9 cm wide, narrowly winged on one side
containing up to 8 brownish seeds. The pods are indehiscent (do
16
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
not split open when mature).
Three subspecies were recognized: Calpurnia aurea ssp. aurea, C.
aurea ssp. sylvatica and C. aurea ssp. indica. C. aurea ssp. sylvatica is now sunk
into C. aurea ssp. aurea. The ssp. sylvatica was distinguished by being confined to the
Eastern Cape, occurring from Uitenhage to the Stutterheim district, and having a
hairless ovary and hairless lower leaflet-surfaces. C. aurea ssp. aurea extends from the
Eastern Cape northwards and it has silky hairs on the lower leaflet surfaces and the
ovaries. Intermediate forms were found in Zimbabwe, the former Transvaal and in the
Eastern Cape. C. aurea ssp. indica is confined to India and is the same as
ssp.aurea except for having smaller calyces and petals.
Distribution
Calpurnia aurea is the most widespread of the genus. It is found growing in forest, on
forest margins and in clearings, on hill sides or on the edge of woody kloofs and in
bushveld. In the forest it can be a 9 to 15 m tree while in the open it is more often a
shrub or small tree 2 - 4 m tall. In southern Africa it occurs from the Eastern Cape
through KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland to Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo. It also
occurs northwards into tropical Africa as far as Ethiopia, and in southern India.
Ecology
Flowers are visited by carpenter bees and many other insects. Dassies eat the flower
buds and young flowers.
Derivation of the name & historical aspects
The genus Calpurnia is named after the Roman poet Calpurnius. He is thought to be an
imitator of the poet Virgil, and since this genus resembles Virgilia that was named after
Virgil, it's poetically just that it be named after Calpurnius. The nameaurea means
golden (Latin), sylvatica means growing amongst trees (Latin).
It was first described in 1789 from a plant growing in the Royal Botanic Gardens,
Kew, that was said to have been introduced from Ethiopia in 1777.
It has attracted the common name wild/Natal/Cape laburnum because its flowers
resemble those of the European laburnum (Laburnum anagroides). Crotalaria
capensis is also sometimes called wild/Cape laburnum which can cause confusion. The
Zulu name umkhiphampethu means 'maggot-extractor'.
Calpurnia is a small genus of approximately 16 species, 8 of which occur in southern
Africa where they are found in the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country. The
other species are: C. capensis, C. floribunda, C. glabrata, C. intrusa, C. reflexa, C.
sericea and C. woodii .
Uses & cultural aspects
In South Africa, calpurnia leaves and powdered roots are used to destroy lice and to
relieve itches. Unspecified parts are used to destroy maggots and the leaves are used to
treat allergic rashes, particularly those caused by caterpillars. In East Africa, leaf sap is
used to destroy maggots in wounds. In Nigeria, the seeds are used to treat abscesses. In
Ethiopia it is used to treat stomach complaints, headache, eye diseases, amoebic
17
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
dysentery, scabies and as an insecticide.
The wood is yellowish with a dark brown heartwood that is heavy and hard but not
much used.
Growing Calpurnia aurea
Calpurnia is very easy to grow. It's fast-growing and flowers when young, an excellent
shrub or small tree for the garden. It does best in fertile, well-drained soil with plenty
of water in summer, but is tolerant of summer drought and should withstand a climate
with a winter minimum of -5 °C (zone 9). Grow it in sun or semi-shade, although a
plant in full sun will produce more flowers. To keep it small and/or bushy and more
floriferous, prune lightly to shape after flowering.
Calpurnia is an ideal small tree for a small suburban garden, or for a tub in an urban
courtyard. It can also be planted as a specimen plant on its own in the lawn or a
rockery. In time and left to its own devices it can form an interestingly-shaped focal
point. Grow it as the backdrop for a herbaceous border, in groups for a mass display.
Calpurnia is easily raised from seed sown in spring or early summer. Soaking in handhot water and treating with a fungicide that combats pre-and post-emergence damping
off, although not essential for germination, will increase the number of successful
seedlings. Seed germinates in 10-14 days. Prick out soon after the first pair of true
leaves have developed - taking care not to damage the taproot. Protect young plants
from frost.
18
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Celtis africana
Family: Celtidaceae
Common names: white stinkwood (Eng.), witstinkhout (Afr.), umVumvu (Xhosa),
uSinga lwesalukazi (Zulu),
Modutu (Sotho & Tswane), Mpopano (Venda)
There is no doubt that this is an excellent tree to use in a landscape, and it is a
rewarding garden tree. It gives shade in summer, and is fast and easy to grow under a
wide range of conditions.
Description
This beautiful deciduous tree grows up to 25 m tall in a forest
habitat, but in a garden it can be treated as a medium-sized
tree, expected to reach a height of up to 12 m. In the wild,
where it is growing in an exposed, rocky position it may be
nothing more than a shrub,but well-grown specimens will
have a single, straight bole branching to form a dense, semicircular canopy. The trunk of Celtis africana is easy to
distinguish by its smooth, pale grey to white bark. It may be
loosely peeling in old trees and sometimes has
horizontal ridges.
In spring Celtis africana is very lovely, with
its light green, tender, new leaves that contrast
beautifully with the pale bark. The leaves are
simple, alternate, triangular in shape with
three distinct veins from the base, and the
margin is toothed for the upper two-thirds.
The new leaves are bright, fresh green and
hairy, and they turn darker green and become
smoother as they mature. Celtis
africana leaves are browsed by cattle and
goats, and are food for the larvae of the long-nosed butterfly.
19
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
The flowers appear in spring (August to October).
They are small, greenish, star-like and
inconspicuous. Separate male and female flowers are
produced on the same tree.A cluster of male flowers
is borne at the base of the new leaf, and the female or
bisexual flowers are in the axils of the leaves. The
flowers are pollinated by bees. Masses of small,
rounded, berry-like fruits on 13 mm long stalks
follow the flowers, from October to February. When
they turn yellow-brown to black they are ripe. Many birds like rameron pigeons,
willow warblers, black-eyed bulbuls, mousebirds and crested barbets feed on the fruits
and disperse the seeds.
Distribution
Celtis africana is common and widespread in South Africa. It occurs in a wide range of
habitats from the coast up to 2 100 m, from the Cape Peninsula northwards through
South Africa to Ethiopia, where it grows in dense forest, on rocky outcrops, in
bushveld, in open grassland, on mountain slopes, on coastal dunes, and along river
banks and in kloofs.
Derivation of the name
The genus name Celtis is the Latin name used by Pliny, and is also the ancient Greek
name for one of the plants reputed to be the lotus of the ancients. The specific
epithet africana means African. Celtis africana thus means, the African celtis.C.
africana is commonly known as white stinkwood, because of the unpleasant smell of
the freshly cut wood, and it's pale colour. The timber of C. africana has no commercial
value. It is very unfortunate that it has this common name as it causes confusion with
the true stinkwood, Ocotea bullata. These two species do not look similar, nor are they
closely related. Ocotea bullata belongs in the laurel family (Lauraceae).
The genus Celtis contains about 50 species widely spread throughout the warm
temperate regions of the world. Only three species are indigenous to southern Africa
namely Celtis gomphophylla (false white stinkwood), C. mildbraedii (Natal white
stinkwood) and C. africana. In southern Africa there are 5 species in this family, the
three Celtis species, Trema orientalis (trema/pigeon wood) and Chaetachme
aristata (chaetachme/false white pear). This family is closely related to the elm family
Ulmaceae, which is distributed mainly in the north temperate regions of the world.
20
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Celtis africana closely resembles, and can be easily confused with Trema
orientalis. Trema is not as widely distributed, nor as tolerant of tough conditions as C.
africana. Also, trema leaves tend to be larger and more slender, serrated nearly from
the base, and the female flowers and fruits are carried on much shorter stalks than those
of C. africana. Furthermore, related exotic species, C. australis (nettle tree), C.
sinensis (Chinese hackberry) and Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese elm), are cultivated in
gardens in South Africa and do occasionally escape into natural areas where they may
be confused with the indigenous species.
Uses and cultural aspects
The wood of Celtis africana is white to yellowish in colour and of medium hardness. It
is tough and strong, and polishes well, but is difficult to work. It is a good general
timber suitable for making planks, shelving, yokes, tent-bows and furniture. The
African people have always used it to make a variety of household articles. It is also
thought to have magical properties. The wood is mixed with crocodile fat as a charm
against lightning, and many people believe that it has the power over evil and that pegs
of wood driven into the ground will keep witches away.
Growing Celtis africana
Celtis africana is fast and easy to grow. It is fairly drought resistant and can withstand
frost. It does best in good, rich, deep soil with plenty of water in summer. This is an
excellent tree for large gardens and parks, and has also proved to be a successful street
and avenue tree. At Kirstenbosch they were planted
in the new Visitors' Centre car park where in a short
space of time they are already providing shade and
softening the hard, hot expanse of paving. In the
garden, it makes an ideal shade tree, particularly
when planted on the northern or western side of the
house, where the shade provided cools the house in
summer, yet allows the sun through to heat the house
in winter. It also works well as a specimen plant in a
tub in a courtyard garden, and makes a beautiful
bonsai subject.
Freshly collected seed germinates easily. Seeds collected from the ground are usually
infested by insects, so it is best to harvest from the tree. The flesh from the berry is best
cleaned off and the seeds should be sown in a flat seedling tray filled with river sand
and well decomposed compost (5 parts river sand to 1 part compost). The seeds should
be covered with a thin layer of river sand and kept moist. The trays should be placed in
a warm but shaded area. Germination will take 15 to 30 days with an expected
germination of 70%. Transplant the seedlings into good, rich soil and give them plenty
of water and they will grow fairly fast, putting on 1 to 2 m per year.
21
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Combretum erythrophyllum
Family: Combretaceae
Common name: river bushwillow
One of the winged wonders belonging to the bushwillow family, this medium-sized
tree is a fast grower, producing creamy flowers and beautiful 4-winged seeds of a
greenish brown colour when young and drying to a honey-brown.
Description
This is a medium to large deciduous tree
with reddish autumn colours. Flowers are
cream to pale yellow (September November). Fruit are small, 4-winged
and a greenish brown colour, ripening to
yellowish brown and drying to a honeybrown. They remain on the tree for a
long time and are reputed to be
poisonous, causing hiccups. The bark is a
pale brown, smooth, but flaking with age
to expose grey patches, which give it a
mottled appearance. Knob-like
outgrowths commonly occur in older
trees, giving them an old, gnarled look.
The young leaves are yellowish and
shiny maturing to a fresh mid-green.
Trees are often multi-stemmed and
somewhat willow-like in habit.
Distribution
This species is found in the northeastern
part of South Africa, from Zimbabwe in
the north down to Eastern Cape in the south with a thin line following the Orange
River westward. This is a riverine species, occurring alongside rivers or away from
22
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
rivers where sufficient groundwater is available. It is found at almost all altitudes and
can therefore tolerate a fair amount of climatic variation and diverse soils such as
heavy black loam, sandy riverine alluvium and granite
sand.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
The specific name erythrophyllum means red leaf in
Greek and was given by Burchell. He based it on the
name roodeblat used by the inhabitants of the
northwestern Cape for this species.
Ecology
Giraffe and elephant browse the tree. The seeds,
although said to be generally poisonous, are eaten by Pied Barbets. Wasps sometimes
lay their eggs through the fruit wall. The newly hatched larvae then feed on the seeds.
Birds such as the Southern Black Tit tap each fruit, open those that contain grubs and
eat them.
Uses and cultural aspects
The gum has interesting properties. It is non-toxic, elastic, producing a non-cracking
varnish. The roots, which some regard as poisonous, are used as a purgative and to
treat venereal diseases. Ornaments, cattle troughs and grain mortars are made from the
wood. A dark, rich brown dye is extracted from the roots. The dried fruits also work
well in flower arrangements.
Growing Combretum erythrophyllum
This is a popular shade tree, surprisingly drought and frost resistant and fast growing
under good conditions, reaching 4-6 m in three years. It has the attraction of being one
of the more responsive and adaptable bushwillow species, even surviving in the Karoo
gardens where its autumn colours are even more brilliant than in milder climates.
This species sets lots of seed and seedlings are often to be found under the trees. It
grows easily from fresh, unparasitized seed which should be soaked for some hours
before planting. Seedlings appear 7-13 days after planting. The seedlings are frost
resistant after two years.
23
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Combretum kraussii
Family: Combretaceae
Common name: forest bushwillow
© G Nichols
Handsome, quick growing and reasonably cold resistant, this tree is recommended for
shady areas in gardens with a
mild to warm climate.
Description
This is a medium to large tree,
that has been classified as
mostly evergreen (Carr 1988) or
deciduous or semi-deciduous
(Van Wyk & Van Wyk 1997)
tree. This beautifully decorative
tree's leaves turn bright red to
purple in winter, dropping just
before flowering, which starts
around August and continues
24
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
through to November.
The flowers are creamy-white and carried in dense heads. Some trees also have a
showy flush of small white leaves in spring which either turn green (Palmer & Pitman
1972) or are replaced by the bright green leaves (Coates Palgrave 2002). Four-winged
fruit carried in clusters from about February to June follow the flowers. The fruit are
small, light to dark red and turn a conspicuous brownish red when dry.
Distribution
Found from the coast to the midlands in the eastern regions of South Africa and
neighbouring Swaziland. The habitat ranges from rocky hillsides at altitudes from
almost sea level up to 1 200 m. It grows anywhere from evergreen forest or forest
margins to dense woodland.
Derivation of name and historical
aspects
The specific name of this tree honours
Dr F. Krauss of the Stuttgart Museum
who made a collecting trip to South
Africa in 1837-1840.
Ecology
Combretums are pollinated by various
kinds of insects, including bees. They
have adapted to wind dispersal by
developing a wing-like fruit structure
that can carry the seed with the help of
air currents or wind. Some animals are known to eat Combretum fruit and also help
with the seed dispersal.
Uses and cultural aspects
The young stems are pliable and used in basket-making. The wood is tough and
yellowish in colour; the sawdust can however cause a skin irritation. Certain parts from
the tree are used to produce antidiuretics, lotions for eye infections, as well as
antiseptics.
Growing Combretum kraussii
Its range of seasonal features make this
a good choice for the garden. In spring
it bears white flowers and an unusual
flush of white leaves, the red fruits of
late summer are showy and in winter
its leaves turn fiery before falling.
Combretum kraussii grows easily and
quickly from seed. Fruit can be
harvested, since it is produced in fair
quantities and is usually not unduly
parasitized. If fruit is collected for
cultivation purposes it should be
checked for parasites. Indications of parasites25
being present are small circular holes in
the body or a gummy excrescence. Fruit should be stored in a dry place. It is a good
idea to take the seed out of the fruit covering and soak it for an hour or so before
sowing. Sow the seeds at a depth of 3-5 mm below the surface in a well-drained
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Croton gratissimus
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Common Names : bergboegoe, ilabele, inkubathi, isikhumampuphu, korannaboegoe,
lavender croton, lavender fever berry, laventelbos, laventelkoorsbessie, maloga
SA Tree Number: 328
© Geoff Nichols
This is an attractive and versatile deciduous shrub or small tree in the home garden, but
capable of becoming a large tree in certain instances.
Description
C. gratissimus is a shrub or a small tree that may reach 10 m in height in South Africa,
but can grow to 20 m tall further north in Africa. It is a slender tree with fine, drooping
foliage and a crown which spreads upwards in a 'V'-shape with drooping terminal
branches.
The leaves of the lavender croton are simple and alternate, with a beautiful and striking
silvery under-surface. The upper surface is dark green and shiny, without hairs, while
the under surface is covered by dense scales producing a silvery colour. Leaves are also
dotted with cinnamon coloured glandular scales.
C. gratissimus bears small cream to golden yellow
flowers in spikes of about 10 cm long. The small buds
are formed and stay on the tree for months before the
flowers open. Spikes contain different sex flowers,
with only one or two females at the bottom of the
spike, and the rest are males.
Fruit, formed between September and November, is a
three lobed capsule. First green, it turns yellow as it
matures. In late autumn the capsule dries out and explodes flinging the seed some
distance from the mother plant.
26
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Distribution
The tree occurs only in the northern parts of South Africa, with its main distribution
further north. According to Coates Palgrave (2002) it over a wide range of altitudes, in
a variety of woodland vegetation types but mainly associated with stony soils and
rocky outcrops.
Croton gratissimus has been divided into two varieties, namely; C.
gratissimus var. gratissimus and C. gratissimus var. subgratissimus.
Variety gratissimus has no hairs on the upper surface, while variety subgratissimus has
stellate hairs on the upper surface and occurs mainly in Zimbabwe, Botswana and the
far northern areas of South Africa.
Name Derivation
The spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) is a large family of flowering plants with 280
genera and around 6,000 species. Most are herbs, but some, especially in the tropics are
also shrubs or trees. Some are succulent and resemble cacti. This family occurs mainly
in the Tropics, with the majority of the species in the Indo-Malayian region and
tropical South America coming a good second. However, Euphorbia also has many
species in non-tropical areas such as the Mediterranean, the Middle East, South Africa
and southern USA.
Croton is an extensive plant genus of the family Euphorbiaceae established by Carolus
Linnaeus in 1737. The common name for this genus is rushfoil and croton. The genus
name comes from Greek Kroton, which means ticks, because of the seeds'
ressemblance to ticks. The species name gratissimus is a Latin word meaning 'most
pleasing' (gratus = pleasing; -issimus = most).
Uses
The young branches of lavender croton are pleasantly aromatic; and it is recorded that
Bushman girls dried these and then powder them to make perfume. The charred and
powdered bark is used to treat bleeding gums. Although the plant is believed to be
toxic, it is an important stock food in Namibia. It is also a beautiful ornamental plant
with pale bark and attractive foliage.
Growing Croton gratissimus
The seed should be collected just before it is dispersed and stored in a dry closed
container where it will open spontaneously. The seed should be sown in a well drained
open seedling mixture and covered lightly with the same mixture or fine sand.
The trays should be kept in a light place and watered regulary but not kept too wet until
germination takes place (usually between 3-4weeks). Once the seedlings have
established watering should be reduced and a fungicide may be applied to prevent
damping off.
Seedlings should be allowed to grow to approximately 50 mm before being
transplanted into individual containers. Saplings are slow growing at first but the
growth rate increases, as the plants get older. Plants may be planted out into the garden
once they are 600 mm or taller.
27
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Dais continifolia
Family: Thymelaeaceae
Common Names: Pompon tree, Pincushion tree, Kannabas, Speldekussing, Basboom,
inTozani (X); inTozwane-emnyama (Z)
The pompon tree is one of the best known and well-loved indigenous trees, tough
enough to be used as a street tree and small enough
to fit into most gardens. When in flower at
Christmas it looks like a giant candy floss, as the
tree transforms into a cloud of soft pink balls. Its
natural home is the eastern part of South Africa
where it grows on the margins of forests, wooded
hill slopes and in stony kloofs.
Dais cotinifolia is a small tree growing only to 6
metres, with a lovely rounded, leafy crown. It can
be single- or multi-stemmed, with the brown stems
covered in small speckles of whitish cork. The
smooth, simple leaves are bright green, sometimes
with a slight bluish tinge on the upper side. The
veins of the leaves are a translucent yellow colour,
forming very clear patterns as they run through the
leaves. The leaves are usually scattered up the
branches or crowded at the ends of the branches. In
very cold areas the trees are deciduous, but in
warmer climates like Cape Town they only lose
their leaves for a short time at the end of winter.
28
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
The trees flower in early summer, any time from November to December. In the city of
Cape Town the street trees flower in November and in the more protected environment
of Kirstenbosch, the trees only flower in December. The new flower buds look like
lollypops, with big round heads on long thin stems at the end of the branches. The
green heads pop open with the many small flowers in tight bunches inside, looking like
pink fluff balls. For about three weeks the tree flowers in profusion. The tiny black
seeds are formed in the bottom of the little flowers and are ready to collect about
month or two after flowering. After flowering, the green cup shaped bracts that held
the flowers, become hard and brown, remaining on the tree for many months. These
dried "flowers" can be used for decorations, model building and children's games.
Growing Dais cotinifolia
This is a wonderful tree for the garden, fast growing, fairly drought resistant once
established and frost hardy. When planting, choose a sunny position and prepare it well
by digging a large hole of about 1 m x 1m, adding lots of compost and bone meal.
Water the young tree regularly during the summer months until it is well established,
which usually takes about two years. Placing a thick mulch of compost around the base
of the tree helps to prevent water from running away, keeps the soil moist and cool,
suppresses weed growth and slowly releases nutrients into the soil.
The tree grows easily from seed and usually seeds itself all over the garden. Sow seed
in spring or early summer in seed trays filled with a well-drained medium. Cover the
seed lightly with fine milled bark or sand, place in a shady position and keep moist. To
improve the germination, treat the seed with a fungicide that prevents damping off. The
young seedling can be potted up as soon as they are big enough to handle. The trees
grow fast and reach their full height within 4 to 5 years, flowering from about their
second year. The trees can be lightly pruned if necessary, young trees becoming very
bushy if the leader is trimmed. Flowers are produced on the previous year's growth, so
any pruning should be done after flowering.
Breaking a branch off this tree is quite difficult because the bark tears off in long strips,
from which accounts for its common name, *Kannabas. This is a typical characteristic
of the family Thymelaeaceae to which Dais belongs. Eve Palmer notes in her
description of Dais cotinifolia that the Africans, who use the bark as thread or cord, say
that it has the strongest fibre of any tree in KwaZulu-Natal.
Eve Palmer also mentions the interesting fact that Linnaeus founded the genus Dais in
1764. In this genus there are only 2 species, Dais cotinifolia from South Africa and one
other species from Madagascar. Dais means a torch in Greek, and the genus got its
name from the resemblance of the stalk and bracts holding the flowers to a torch about
to be lit. The leaves resemble those of another genus Cotinus, hence the species
name cotinifolia.
29
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Dodonaea viscosa
Family : Sapindaceae
Common names : sand olive (Eng.); sandolien, ysterbos (Afr.); mutata-vhana (Venda);
mutepipuma (Shona)
This well known, drought and wind resistant, indigenous plant can grow into a shrub as it is
usually multi-stemmed or a small tree when the lower branches are pruned. It is ideal for
water-wise gardens.
Description
Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia is an evergreen shrub or small tree up to 5 m high. Its
bark is light grey and finely fissured. The droopy leaves are shiny light green above and
paler green below. Its flowers are small, yellowish green and are followed by decorative
clusters of yellow or reddish fruits with papery wings. Flowers are produced from April to
August (autumn–winter). This is a fast growing plant that prefers a sandy substrate; when
given good soil and plenty of water it requires minimal water once established.
Left: Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia flowers
Right: Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia flowers fru
30
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Conservation status
Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia is not a threatened species.
Distribution and habitat
Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia grows in a variety of habitats from arid, semi-arid to
high rainfall regions and is frost-hardy. It is found in a wide strip along the coast from
Namaqualand through the Western Cape, Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal as well as further
north in Mozambique and Zambia.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
The genus Dodonaea was named after Rembert Dodoens. He was a Dutch physician and
botanist who wrote a book on plants of the Middle Ages. He died in 1585. The specific
epithet viscosa means sticky, referring to the young growing tips which contain surface
flavonoids; this gives them a shiny appearance. In the genus Dodonaea there are 60 species
widespread mostly in Australia. In South Africa there are two recognized taxa: Dodonaea
viscosa var. angustifolia andDodonaea viscosa var. viscosa.
Ecology
The dense bushy hedges which it may form are ideal bird nesting sites and the flowers
attract butterflies. The seed has papery wings and is possibly dispersed by wind.
Uses and cultural aspects
This shrub is grown worldwide, as the roots have soil-binding properties which are effective
for the purpose of stabilizing sand dunes and to control erosion. The early Cape settlers
used a decoction prepared from the new leaf tips for fever. In the rural areas Dodonaea
viscosa var. angustifolia is still widely used for colds, influenza, stomach trouble and
measles. For a sore throat and oral thrush it is used as a gargle. The Khoi-Khoi used a
concoction of the root for colds and influenza. In Namaqualand the green leaves are boiled
slowly, then left to steep, strained, and the extract is used for influenza, colds and also to
induce sweating. It also used to relieve coughs and the congested feeling typical of
influenza, croup and diphtheria. The same extract is considered to alleviate stomach
ailments and fever. The leaves are used externally as a remedy for itchy skin and to treat
skin rashes. An extract of the leaves is used as a mild purgative and for rheumatism,
sorethroat and haemorrhoids. Other early uses of the plant include the treatment of
pneumonia, tuberculosis and skin rashes. In southern Africa it is regarded as one of the most
important traditional medicines and is used in combination with other medicinal plants,
including Viscum capense (Willem Steenkamp, pers. comm.). Most of the Dodonaea
viscosa var. angustifolia specimens found in the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden
are a host plant to the hemiparasitic shrub,Viscum capense which grows on them. Seeds of
the parasite are deposited on the branches of the host as a result of birds feeding on the
fruits of the parasite and cleaning their beaks on the branches of the host. In arid areas it is
also a valuable source of firewood.
31
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Growing Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia
As a shrub it can be planted together with other indigenous plants like Gazania krebsiana, a
groundcover with orange flowers, and Eriocephalus ericoides, wild rosemary, for a well
rounded garden.
Seed can be harvested in autumn and sown in spring into plastic seed trays. A sandy soil
mix is used mixed with 10% compost. Dodonaea germinates quite easily, so no special
treatment of the seed is needed, and it does well in cultivation. The plastic seed trays are
then kept moist and the seeds will germinate in 2–3 weeks' time. When the seedlings are
about 100–150 mm tall they are moved to a netted hardening area that gets 30% shade
during the day, making them used to more sun.
From there they can grow up to 300–400 mm tall before they are transplanted to 2 L or 4 L
bags. As soon as they are transplanted they are moved to areas receiving full sun where they
will be buffeted by winds, as in nature, and may be watered as needed.
The Dodonaea specimens are then transplanted to 10 L bags when they are around 1.2 m
tall (Geldenhuys, J.pers. comm. 2011).
32
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Dombeya rotundifolia
Wild Pear (English); Drolpeer (Afrikaans); iNhliziyonkhulu (Zulu);
mohlabaphala (N. Sotho); Motubane (Tswana); Nsihaphukuma (Tsonga)
Family: STERCULIACEAE
This lovely tree gets its English common name from the masses of white blooms which
appear before the leaves in early spring. It bears a resemblance to a true pear (Pyrus
communis) in full flower. It is no relation of the pear tree, which is in the Rose family
(Roseaceae) like the peach and apricot.
Like other Dombeya species the flowers remain on the tree until after the fruit capsules
have formed in the centre of each flower. The petals turn brown and become dry and
light. Once the fruit is ripe and falls from the tree, the petals act as wings and float it
away. The wild pear grows in woodland, wooded grassland and rocky mountain slopes
from Kwazulu-Natal northwards to Ethiopia.
The name Dombeya was given in honour of Joseph Dombey (1742 - 1793), a French
botanist who worked in Peru and Chilé. Rotundifolia refers to the round leaves of this
species.
This is a deciduous, very fast growing tree, 1 - 1.5 m per year. It may reach up to 10 m
in height but is usually between 3 and 6 m. The bark is dark brown, very rough and
corky on mature trees. It forms a protective, fire resistant layer around the trunk. The
leaves are almost round and are covered with the minute star-like hairs, which are a
character of Dombeya.
The wild pear is a lovely garden specimen, the spectacular show of scented flowers is a
herald of spring. It has a single stem and a somewhat rounded crown. It is both frost
and drought resistant. The flowers appear from July to September, the earlier flowering
taking place in the warmer northern areas. The dried flowers can be used in flower
arranging. This is a good wildlife garden tree as it attracts bees and butterflies. It is a
larval food plant for the Ragged Skipper (Caprona pillaana) butterfly. The wild pear is
also reportedly a good bonsai specimen, which develops the corky bark and reduced
33
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
leaf size after 2 - 3 years.
The wild pear has many traditional uses as well. Strong rope fibre is made from the
bark and the plant is used medicinally for various purposes, including a love potion
made from the flowers. It is a useful tree on farms and nature reserves as game and
stock browse from it. The wood is termite resistant and often used as fence posts. Bee
farmers also appreciate the tree for the large amounts of nectar and pollen which it
produces.
Growing Dombeya rotundifolia
The wild pear can be propagated from seed in spring in deep seed trays of good, fine
seedling mix, lightly covered with sand and kept moist. The seedlings should be
transplanted once the true leaves have formed, into small nursery bags filled with a 3:1
mixture of sand and compost. They should be given protection from heat and sun until
they are hardened off.
34
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Dovyalis caffra
Family: Salicaceae
Common names: Kei-appel (Afr.); motlhono (North Sotho); umqokolo (Zulu), Kei-apple (Eng.);
amaqokolo (Ndebele); mukokolo (Shona)
Dovyalis caffra is a lovely evergreen fruit tree or shrub. It is one of the
three Dovyalis species, together with D. zeyheri (wild apricot) and D.
rhamnoides (common sour berry), which are of considerable importance as a source of
income for some local communities in southern Africa. A trial planting of southern
African fruit trees in a desert in Israel is also going to include this plant (Dovyalis
caffra). It is an attractive, drought and frost resistant tree or shrub.
Description
Dovyalis caffra is usually 3-5 m in height, but sometimes
reaches 8 m with a much branched crown. It is a tree or
spiny shrub of moderate growth rate that may be planted
close together to form a good hedge. Creamy green
flowers form in November to December. Male flowers
are 3 mm long in dense clusters of 5-10 flowers. Female
flowers are found in groups of up to three on stalks 4-10
mm long in leaf axils. The fruits are up to 60 mm in
diameter and are yellowish orange in colour.
Distribution
It grows in valley bushveld, dry areas, wooded grassland,
on forest edges, from Eastern Cape through KwaZuluNatal to Swaziland, into Limpopo [Northern Province] and Zimbabwe.
35
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Derivation of name
Dovyalis is a Greek word meaning spear, and caffra is derived from Kaffraria (Eastern
Cape).
Ecology
Insects and birds play a very important role in pollinating this tree. Birds such as the
louries and the black-eyed bulbuls love the fruits of a Dovyalis caffra, which are
delicious. By eating the fruits birds also help to distribute the seeds. Baboons, antelope
and monkeys also like to eat the fruit.
Uses and cultural aspects
Dovyalis caffra can be cultivated
as a border, screen or used to
form an impenetrable hedge
around a garden to keep
unwanted animals and people out.
It will grow well in either full sun
or light shade and will also need
regular trimming in order to
maintain a good hedge. The
leaves are used as fodder (bulk
feed for livestock). The fruits are
edible and make excellent jam.
Growing Dovyalis caffra
The Kei-apple is easily
propagated from seed. The fruits
must be ripe before they are
collected. The seed must be
cleaned and dried in a shady spot
before planting. They should then
be sown in seedling trays filled
with river sand or seedling mix.
The seeds must be pressed down into the sand until they are level with the surface of
the sand and then covered with a layer of fine sand. The Kei-apple can also be
propagated from hardwood cuttings as long as they are treated with root-stimulating
hormone before planting. It also has a good growth rate of about 600 mm per year.
36
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Duvernoia aconitiflora
Common name:Lemon Pistol Bush
Other names:Geelpistoolbos (A)
SA Tree No.:681.2
Description:
A small shrub or small tree with dense dark green foliage. It bears showy pale yellow flowers
which are marked with purple in the throat. The fruit is a club-shaped capsule which explodes
to release its seeds.
Landscape uses:
Fantastic screening plant for a shady section.
Size:3m x 3m
37
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Duvernoia adhatodoides
Family: Acanthaceae
Common Name: Pistol Bush, Pistoolbos
Duvernoia adhatodoides is a shrub or a small tree 1-3m in height. It is commonly
found on forest understorey, on forest margins and rocky outcrops in the province of
Kwa-Zulu Natal and the former Transkei area in the Eastern Cape Province. It is also
found in the Gauteng Province. This is an evergreen single or multi-stemmed shrub
with dense dark crown. The stems can be as thick as 260mm in diameter with dark
brown rough bark. The shiny, dark green leaves make this plant interesting even when
it is not in flower. Flowers are conspicuous, an attractive white to mauve with purple
markings. This shrub flowers from February to August.
The flowers are pollinated by large black and yellow carpenter bees. Mrs M.E.Barber,
38
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
a well-known naturalist who lived in the Eastern Cape over a hundred years ago, wrote
an article in Journal of the Linnean Society in 1871 describing how the bee alights on
the lower lip and forces open the corolla tube with its proboscis to gorge on nectar. In
doing so the bee's thorax gets dusted with pollen. It then flies on to another flower
where its thorax brushes against the protruding stigma, depositing pollen to ensure
fertilization, before picking up a more pollen. The fruits are club-shaped capsules,
about 3 x 1 cm, dehiscing explosively with a loud crack (hence the common name).
Growing Duvernoia adhatodoides
This shrub is an excellent decorative garden plant. It can also be
used as a background planting in a landscape.
This plant can be grown from seed or cuttings. Duvernoia
adhatodoides is sensitive to frost. However, with some
protection it can grow in areas where frost is not too
severe. Duvernoia adhatodoides is best grown in moist coastal
gardens. It thrives in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It likes
well composted soil as it occurs naturally in forests. Mulch to
keep soil water in the soil and to regulate soil temperature.
Growth can be stimulated by various fertilizers such as Supa
Natural (Fish emulsion fertilizer),Seagro and Kelpack. Seagro
and Supa Natural can be used as foliar feed.
Duvernoia adhatodoides is pretty in flower at the Arboretum (the tree section) in
Kirstenbosch Garden. Numerous seedlings at the base of the plants are an indication of
how easily it germinates. Seedlings are resistant to fungal diseases but a fungicide can
be applied when neccessary.
South Africa only has two Duvernoia species. The other species, D. aconitiflora, which
also flowers during autumn, is a small shrub to 3m from the north eastern part of South
Africa. It is well suited to smaller gardens.
39
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Ehretia rigida
Family: Boraginaceae (forget-me-not family)
Common names: puzzle bush (Eng.); deurmekaarbos (Afr.); umHlele (Zulu); Morobe
(Northern Sotho); iBotshane (Xhosa); Mutepe (Venda)
© G Nichols
Ehretia rigida is a deciduous small tree or shrub, usually multistemmed, with an untidy
rounded crown. It has tangled branches which arch downwards or droop. This rather
haphazard look gives it its common names, puzzle bush and deurmekaarbos.
Description
Ehretia rigida can grow up to 9 m in height. The bark is very smooth and grey on new
branches and rough on older branches and stems. The plant has an alternate leaf
arrangement but the leaves seem to grow together in clusters at the tips of its short branches.
The leaves can be smooth or covered with stiff hairs that are rough to the touch. It has small
leaf stalks of about 2 mm long. The flowers grow in dense clusters on the branches. These
pale mauve, blue or white flowers can only be seen in spring with male and female flowers
on different plants. They have a diameter of 7 mm and are sweetly scented. The fruits are
round, orange to red, turning black when ripe and are eaten by wild animals. Parasitic
plants, such as the mistletoe, Viscum rotundifolium, are often found on the puzzle bush.
40
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
© G Nichols
Distribution
The plant occurs in a wide variety of habitats, including wooded grassland, karroid
vegetation and bushveld. In South Africa it occurs throughout the eastern half of the country
and also in Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho.
Derivation of name
Ehretia was named after an 18th century botanical artist, R.D.Ehret. The Latin
word rigida means stiff, referring to the hard leaves.
Other species of the genus in southern Africa are Ehretia amoena, E. obtusifolia, E. alba, E.
coerula, E. cymosa and E. namibiensis. Three of these, E. rigida, E. amoena and E.
obtusifolia occur in South Africa. Ehretia rigida is further divided into three subspecies,
namely, E. rigida subsp. rigida, E. rigida subsp. silvatica and E.
rigida subsp. nervifolia, which occurs naturally in the Witwatersrand National Botanical
Garden.
Ecology
The tree is a food source to domestic stock and wild
animals, such as the kudu, nyala, bushbuck, impala and
grey duiker. Its fruits are eaten by people and many
birds such as the Crested Francolin, Helmeted and
Crested Guineafowl, Southern Yellowbilled Hornbill,
Crested Barbet, bulbuls and starlings.
Uses and cultural aspects
Ehretia rigida is very attractive to birds and insects
and is therefore a wonderful addition to the wildlife
41
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
garden. It can be pruned to make a shape and can also be used as a hedge in a garden. Ripe
fruits of this plant are edible but not tasty. For traditional, medicinal purposes, the roots are
powdered and used to treat small cuts in the skin. It is used over the abdomen and chest to
relieve pains and is also used to treat gall sickness in cattle. The plant is believed to bring
luck to hunters and is also used to protect huts and crops from hail. Hunters use branches of
this plant to make hunting bows and fishing baskets because they are strong and flexible.
Growing Ehretia rigida
The puzzle bush is becoming very popular as a garden plant because it is hardy and drought
resistant. It can easily grow from seed and cuttings. Use river sand or a mixture of river
sand and compost to sow the seedlings. They should be sown in a seedling tray and be
covered with a thin layer of sand. Do not sow the seeds too deeply. If they are sown
properly, the seeds will take 10-20 days to germinate. Plants should be kept in nursery bags
until the next season before they are planted into the ground. The plant has a fast growth
rate of about 600-700 mm per year.
42
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Grewia occidentalis
Common Names : Cross-berry, Four-corner (E), Kruisbessie (A), Mokukutu (Setsw.),
Mogwane (N.Sotho), iLalanyathi (Zulu), umSipane (Siswati), umNqabaza (Xhosa),
Mulembu (Venda), Nsihana (Tsonga)
Family : Malvaceae
This attractive indigenous shrub may be found in a variety of habitats ranging from
arid karoo, coastal dune bush, evergreen montane forest and wooded grasslands. On
the Highveld, mainly grows in clumps of bush and rocky places, often in the shade of
trees - it occurs naturally in the Witwatersrand National Botanical Garden where it is
common and may be found in almost all areas. The natural distribution of the Grewia
occidentalis ranges from the Western Cape up to Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This
genus is named after Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712), an English
physician. Occidentalis means from the west.
It is a scrambling deciduous shrub or small tree reaching up to 3m in height. Purple
star-shaped flowers (measuring 1.5 to 3cm across) appear in summer (October January), followed by distinctive four-lobed fruits (hence the common name crossberry and four-corner). Fruits turns shiny reddish-brown to light purple when ripe
(January - May) and may remain on the tree for long periods.
The leaves are alternate and simple with three distinct veins from the base. They are
shiny deep green and may be slightly hairy on both surfaces. They are usually held in a
horizontal plane towards the light.
Leaves are browsed by cattle, goats and game (black rhino, giraffe, nyala and grey
duiker). Ripe fruits are relished by various birds such as louries, mousebirds, bulbuls
and barbets as well as certain mammals (including man). Larvae of the rufous-winged
elfin butterfly (Eagris nottoana) and buff-tipped skipper (Netrobalane canopus) feed
on the leaves of this species.
43
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
In certain areas where the sugar content of the fruits is high, they are collected and
dried for later use. The dried fruits are sometimes boiled in milk - a bush milkshake!
Beer is also brewed from the ripe fruit in certain areas. Other human uses of this
species include using the wood to make bows and spear shafts.
The cross-berry is an important species in traditional medicine and is used for a variety
of purposes. Bruised bark soaked in hot water is used to treat wounds. Pounded bark,
used regularly as a shampoo, was believed to prevent hair from turning grey. Parts of
the plant were used to treat impotence and sterility, and root extracts were used to help
in childbirth.
Growing Grewia
occidentalis
Grewia occidentalis makes
a decorative garden plant
which is both frost- and
drought-hardy. It will grow
well if well-watered and
planted in good, composted
soil. The cross-berry may be
planted in either full sun or
shade. The root system is
not aggressive and can
therefore be planted near
buildings and paving. It is a
"must-have" species in the
garden to attract butterflies
and birds.
This species is best
propagated from seed.
Studies have shown that
seed which has passed
through the gut of monkeys
and baboons germinates
better than those collected
from a tree. This is due to
the fact that the seeds chemical inhibitors have been broken down by the animal's
stomach acids. However germination is generally fairly good - so perhaps it is not
necessary to find a monkey to assist you with your propagation attempts!
44
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Halleria lucida
Family: Scrophulariaceae (Snapdragon Family)
Common Names: Tree Fuchsia (E), Notsung (A), umBinza (X)
Not only is Halleria lucida an attractive tree and an asset to any
garden, it is also one of the best bird attracting trees. It is an
evergreen tree or large shrub, often multi-stemmed, with a
spreading crown and attractive glossy bright green foliage on
arching and drooping
branches.
The bark is longitudinally
grooved and pale grey and
brown in colour. The
flowers are tubular, orange
to brick-red, or yellow, very
rich in nectar and are produced in clusters in the
axils of leaves and on short shoots on the old wood,
even on the main trunk. When in full flower in autumn to summer (May to
December/January) it can be very showy, although the flowers are somewhat hidden
amongst the leaves and inside the canopy.
Clusters of 10 mm diameter spherical green berries that turn juicy and black when ripe,
follow the flowers (August onwards). These are edible, but never tasty, not even when ripe.
45
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
They have a sickly sweet taste and tend to dry the mouth. The seeds are very small black
flakes in the jelly-like flesh of the fruit.
Halleria lucida is found in coastal and karroid scrub, deep evergreen
forest, forest margins, forested ravines, rocky mountain slopes, near
rivers and on stream banks from the Cape peninsula in the south in a
strip up the eastern coast of South Africa, through the Eastern Cape
to Lesotho, the eastern Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Swaziland
where it turns inland and roughly follows the escarpment into
Mpumalanga, Gauteng and the Northern and North West Province.
It also occurs in isolated pockets in Zimbabwe. In the more exposed situations it is
generally a stocky or shrubby tree that reaches a height of 2-5 m but in well watered,
protected situations it can reach up to 12 m, and in forests, it can grow up to 20 m in height.
Halleria lucida is a member of the Scrophulariaceae, the snapdragon and foxglove family, a
large family of ±290 genera and ±4500 species widespread but mainly in temperate areas
and tropical mountains. In southern Africa there are ±80 genera and ±760 species spread
throughout the region. Trees are quite rare in this family; most of the members are
herbaceous. Two southern African genera that should be familiar to most gardeners
are Nemesia and Diascia.
The genus Halleria is named after Albrecht von Haller (1708-77), professor of botany at
Gottingen. It is a small genus of ten species that occur in Yemen, Madagascar and Africa
from Ethiopia to the Cape peninsula. There are three species in southern Africa that are
widespread in all regions and countries except for the Northern Cape and Namibia. The
other two species are Halleria elliptica and Halleria ovata. The specific name lucida is
Latin for shining/shiny and refers to the foliage. The derivation of the common
name notsung is not entirely clear. It could be derived from the original Khoi name. Marloth
thought that it was derived from the name nutzeng meaning usufruct (the right of temporary
possession of what is another's on condition that such possession causes no damage to it)
given to it by early German foresters employed at the Cape, where these foresters had free
use of the wood and fruits without need for a permit. The name tree fuchsia was acquired
because of its fuchsia-like flowers. It has also been known as the white olive / witolienhout /
witolyfhout as the quality of its timber is suggestive of that of the olive.
The Zulu nation has a strong belief in traditional medicine and they use Halleria lucida for
skin and ear complaints. Dry leaves are soaked in water and squeezed into the ear to relieve
earache. This tree is also considered to be a charm against evil. The twigs are burnt when
offering sacrifices to the ancestral spirits. The plants are set alight each year, the ashes
mixed with crocodile fat and this mixture is smeared onto cuttings of Rhamnus
prinoides which are then driven into the ground around the village to protect the community
from wizardry and lightning. The wood can also be used to start a fire by friction.Halleria
lucida timber is light coloured tinged with yellow, hard, heavy and strong, well suited to
carpentry, but is not much used because the pieces are small. It was once valued for wagon
poles, tools and spear shafts.
46
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Growing Halleria lucida
Halleria lucida has been in cultivation for many years. It was featured by Burman in 1739.
William Burchell recorded it in his diary for February 1811 as growing in the Government
Gardens in Cape Town, and in 1815 it was illustrated in Curtis' Botanical Magazine from a
specimen that was growing in a greenhouse in England.
Halleria lucida is tough and easy to grow, and thrives under many different conditions. It is
fast growing, and performs best in well-drained nutrient-rich loam with water provided all
year round although it tolerates periods of drought. It is relatively hardy to frost (zone 9:
minimum -7 °C/ 20 °F) but requires protection when young. Halleria lucida makes a
shapely specimen tree for the smaller garden, and looks at home in the larger landscape,
where it can also be planted in groups. It can be used to provide shade, or can itself be
planted in shade as an under-storey tree. It can also be used in the fynbos garden. It is
suitable for use as an informal hedge, and can be planted in a large container. It is also one
of the best bird attracting trees. With Halleria lucida in your garden, the nectar-feeding
sunbirds will be one of your most frequent visitors, and the berries will attract fruit-eating
birds.
Halleria lucida is easily propagated by seed, and cuttings. It can also be propagated by
truncheon cuttings or layering and transplants readily. Young plants may flower for the first
time in their second year.Seed is best sown in spring to mid-summer (September to
December) or in autumn (March to May), in a standard well-drained seedling mix and
covered lightly with coarse sand or milled bark. The trays can be placed over bottom heat of
25 °C although this is not essential for germination to occur. Seed should germinate within
6 weeks. Seedlings can be transplanted as soon as they are large enough to handle.
Softwood or herbaceous cuttings, or heel cuttings should be taken from actively growing
shoots in spring to early summer (September to November) or in autumn (March to May),
treated with a rooting hormone and placed in a propagator with intermittent mist and bottom
heat of 28 °C. Rooting should occur within 6 weeks, and the newly rooted cuttings require a
weaning period of 1 month.
47
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Heteropyxis natalensis
Family: Heteropyxidaceae
Common names: Lavender tree, Laventelboom (A),
iNkunzi (Z)
SA Tree Number: 455
The family Heteropyxidaceae, or lavender tree family as it is commonly known, is a
small family with only two species in southern Africa. The local genus, Heteropyxis, is
characterized by alternate, entire, simple leaves with secretory cavities. These emit a
pleasant smell when crushed. The flowers are small and inconspicuous.
The genus name of this plant (Heteropyxis) is made up of two words. Hetero is a Greek
word meaning 'different' and pyxis is a Latin word meaning 'the container with the lid'.
This refers to the capsule (a fruit) that is sometimes called the pyxidium, because it
looks like it has a lid. The species name natalensis refers to its place of origin,
KwaZulu-Natal.
This is a medium to large deciduous tree that grows
to about 10 metres high. It occurs naturally on the
coastal and inland regions of the KwaZulu-Natal
Province. It is also found growing in Mpumalanga,
Gauteng, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
The lavender tree has drooping foliage. The leaves
are narrowly elliptic and are arranged spirally. They
are shiny dark green above and paler green below,
slightly hairy to hairless when mature. When
crushed they produce a strong lavender scent. The
leaf petiole is slender and pink over the lower half.
48
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
The main stem is crooked and sometimes fluted. The bark is
distinctively pale grey, often almost white and is flaking on the
old stem. The flowers, which are yellowish green, appear in
summer (December - March). They are very small, about 3 mm
in diameter, and are borne in branched terminal clusters. They
are sweetly scented. The fruit is a small oval capsule that is up
to 4 x 2.5 mm. It appears between March and May. Its colour is
shiny brown and it bears numerous seeds. When ready, it splits
into 2 to 3 valves releasing the seeds, after which the old
capsules may remain on the tree for months.
This tree has several economic uses. Bark and leaves are
browsed by black rhino. Leaves are also used in herbal tea and potpourri. The wood is
hard, very fine grained and is pale pinkish brown in colour. It is suitable for use as
fencing posts and charcoal. The leaves and roots of this plant are used medicinally and
to treat worms in stock. African healers prescribe inhaling the steam from a decoction
of the roots to heal a bleeding nose. The roots are also used in the treatment of mental
disorders and fresh leaves are used during weaning. The leaves are also used to scent
tobacco.
Growing Heteropyxis natalensis
The lavender tree can be grown from seeds. They germinate easily and the young
plants are relatively quick growing. Sow the seeds in well-drained moist soil and cover
them with a thin layer of compost. Make sure they are kept in a warm area as this
promotes rapid germination. This plant can also be propagated by cuttings, although
the success rate using this method is very low. Fresh cuttings may be taken and rooted
in pure sand. Rooting hormone may be used to help promote rooting.
Heteropyxis natalensis is a very decorative tree for small gardens. With its glossy
green leaves and a whitish stem, it makes a very good focal point. The leaves develop
rich red autumn colours, adding to the tree's attractiveness. The flowers attract bees,
wasps and butterflies.
49
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Ilex mitis
Family: Aquifoliaceae (holly family)
Common names: African holly, Cape holly, wild holly, watertree (Eng.); waterboom,
waterhout, without (Afr.); monamane (Northern Sotho); iPhuphuma (Zulu), umDuma
(Xhosa); liBota (Swazi); phukgu, phukgile (Southern Sotho); mutanzwa-khamelo
(Venda)
The African holly has attractive bark and berries. It grows throughout the country,
making it suitable for colder, frosty gardens too.
Description
An evergreen tree, between 10 and 25 m tall, with a straight
trunk and a rounded canopy. Stems are normally round.
Bark on the young tree is a pale grey-brown with patches of
white, smooth with fine, transverse ridges and yellowbrown corky specks. As the tree becomes older it becomes
evenly whitish grey with dark, and rough spots.
Young twigs are a reddish purple colour. The lance-shaped,
simple, alternate leaves are a shiny dark green and are
carried on plum-coloured stalks. They are between 70-100 x
19-25 mm, with pointed, sometimes curled tips and wavy,
sometimes slightly toothed margins. The plum-coloured leaf stalks help to identify the
tree. The midrib is sharply impressed above and prominent below.
50
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
The small flowers are borne in spring or early summer in
bunches between the leaf axils. They are white and sweetly
scented. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees.
The forest floor below the trees become carpeted with tiny, white
flower petals that are shed as the fruit begins to develop.
Fruits ripen on the female trees in autumn, turning bright red,
and as these are densely packed along the stems, they provide bright splashes of colour,
attracting many kinds of birds. There are several seeds in each fruit that is small and
round with a sharp point. Fruiting trees are conspicuous when viewed from above.
The wood is close-grained, medium-hard and medium-heavy. It is whitish to greygreen in colour that is easily worked.
Distribution
There are three genera and over 500 species in the holly family, most growing in Asia
and tropical America. More than 200 evergreen tree and shrub species belong to
the Ilex genus and occur mainly in temperate and subtropical forests. There is only one
species in South Africa, Ilex mitis. It is very widely distributed in Africa, growing on
the banks of rivers and streams and moist spots in woods and forests. In South Africa it
grows in all the provinces as well as in Swaziland and Lesotho.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
Ilex is the Latin name for the Holm oak, and mitis means unarmed, alluding to the
leaves which are not prominently toothed, unlike some other species in the genus
which have sharply spiny leaves, such as the traditional holly, Ilex aquifolium, used in
Europe and North America for Christmas decorations.
Ecology
A tree of woods and forests, from sea level to high mountains, often found overhanging
streams along which it grows. It is variable in size depending on where it is growing. In
the forests of Knysna it easily reaches a height of 18 m and may have a trunk diameter
of 0.6 m. Brilliant red fruits in autumn attract birds. In the Knysna forests elephants
show a particular liking for the leaves.
Uses
When the leaves are rubbed together they give a lather and this was once used by the
Knysna woodcutters to wash themselves in the streams of the forest. The Zulus are also
aware of this use. This is reflected in their name iPhuphuma which means, 'it foams
out'. The Venda name when translated means 'milk-pail washer'. The wood was once
51
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
used in the construction of wagons for buckboards and occasionally for spokes. It was
also in demand for the heels of ladies shoes. It is still used for implement handles and
furniture as well as fuel.
Growing Ilex mitis
Fresh seed grows easily. Seed collected from the tree, or those fallen below the tree
should be allowed to dry. Trees can be very tall, making collecting off the tree very
difficult. They should then be sown into a tray containing a 1:1 mixture of river sand
and compost. Seedling mix obtained from nursery centres is also suitable. Seed should
be covered lightly with the soil mix and then kept damp. Although germination can be
erratic, seeds usually begin to germinate 8-20 days after sowing. The seedlings need to
be transplanted into a mix of sand and compost in bags at the two-leaf stage.
It is a fairly fast-growing tree, 0.8 m a year being possible. It transplants well, but
needs protection whilst young. It grows best when planted alongside a running stream.
It is one of the few indigenous evergreen trees that can cope with frost, making it
especially suitable for cold areas. To be sure of fruit, plant a small grove of these trees
and remove extra males later.
Pests and diseases: None known.
52
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Indigofera jucunda
FAMILY: Fabaceae ( pea family)
COMMON NAMES: River Indigo, Rivierverfbos
Indigofera jucunda is a scrambling shrub or small graceful tree (1-4m ). The main stem
is greyish brown and the leaves are dark green and compound with leaflets, occurring
in pairs of 4 to 7 plus a terminal one. Flowers are small, pink or white and sweetly
scented. They are borne from December through to April in lovely dainty spikes up to
5cm long. Smooth, reddish-brown cylindrical pods with 8 to 10 seeds each, occur from
May to July.
This plant was formerly known by the name Indigofera cylindrica. Botanical
investigation in the 1990's found that the name I.cylindrica had been incorrectly
applied to this species and that the name was synomous with Indigofera
frutescens which is a shorter plant from the fynbos with bright pink, purple flowers in a
lax racemes. This popular garden plant received the new name of Indigofera
jucunda. Confusion still occurs in the nursery trade over the name of this plant
unfortunately and you may find it incorrectly
labelled.
River indigo occurs naturally in riverine forest or
scrub and on sandstone outcrops in Transkei and
southern Kwazulu-Natal.
Several species of butterflies including the common
Lucerne Blue, Lampides boeticus, and the
Drakensberg Blue, Lepidochrysops niobe, breed on
members of the genus.
Growing Indigofera jucunda
Indigofera is not a striking plant, but it is dainty and showy when in flower, making it
53
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
an interesting garden subject.
I. jucunda is semi-deciduous and prefers a
warm, sunny position in the garden, although it
will tolerate semi-shade conditions. It grows
easily in good, loamy soil. It will grow easily
from seed that should be sown in September
and takes from 3 to 6 weeks to germinate. The
seedlings should be pricked out and planted in
individual containers until they are about 20cm
in height. They will flower in the 2nd or 3rd
year. These plants may also be propagated by
means of cuttings.
More about the pea family
Members of the pea family include a wide
range of plants including economically important crops such as beans, peas and clover,
as well as herbs, shrubs and a few beautiful flowering trees. The characteristic sweetpea flowers of this family have a large upper petal (the standard), two side petals
(wings) and two lower petals that are fused to form a 'keel' enfolding the stamens and
pistil.
The genus Indigofera has a long history in trade because one of the species from the
East Indies, I. tinctoria, yields the dye Indigo."Indigo" referring to the colour and the
Latin "fero" meaning "to bear". Indigo is one of the oldest colouring agents known to
man. The leaves are the main source of the dye but roots are sometimes also used. It
gives a light purple to mauve colour or sometimes dark brown or grey, depending on
the dyeing time. Natural indigo was originally produced for commercial use through a
complicated process of aerobic fermentation and agitation, followed by heating the
precipitated sludge, which was then formed into cakes for shipment.
Other species of Indigofera have medicinal uses such as helping with infertility and
menstrual cramps. One is even believed to be able to change the sex of a baby before
birth. Another species has its twigs used as toothbrushes and it's sap used as
mouthwash.
Indigofera is a large genus of over 800 species, mostly herbs and undershrubs, with
two tree-like species. They are to be found in all tropical and subtropical countries with
over 200 species in South Africa alone.
54
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Kiggelaria africana
Family: Achariaceae
Common names: Wild peach, wildeperske (Afr.), umKokoko (Xhosa), uMunwe (Zulu),
Monepenepe (North Sotho),
Lekgatsi (South Sotho), Muphatavhafu (Venda)
This tree is said to attract lightning, but some people use it to protect their homes!
Description
Well-shaped and reasonably robust, the low-branching,
wild peach has smooth, pale grey bark that becomes
rough with age. The variable leaves of this evergreen
tree may resemble those of the peach. The tiny, bellshaped flowers which bloom from August to January
(spring to summer), are yellow-green, with male and
female flowers on separate trees. The hard, round,
knobbly, greenish yellow capsule which forms in
February to July (late summer to mid-winter) splits to
expose shiny black seeds, enclosed in an oily, sticky,
bright orange-red coat.
Natural distribution
Kiggelaria africana is found in coastal and inland forests (where it can reach 20 m), in
bushveld and woodland, along streams and on rocky hillsides-'koppies'. It is widely
distributed in Africa, from Kenya in the north to Western Cape in the south. This is the only
species of Kiggelaria in South Africa.
Name derivation
It is named after Franz Kiggelaer, Curator of Simon van Beaumont's garden. The Latin
word, africana means 'comes from Africa'.
55
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Ecology
The Crowned Hornbill, Olive Woodpecker, Cape Thrush, Cape Robin, Cape White-eye,
Southern Boubou and mousebirds enjoy the colourful fruits. Caterpillars of the Acraea
horta butterfly (and A. igola) often strip this tree bare of foliage - one stage in a natural
cycle, as the trees quickly recover and put out a nice new set of leaves. Larvae of the
Battling Glider also feed on the tree. The Diederik, Redchested, Klaas's and Black Cuckoos
love caterpillars, so these beautiful birds will visit the garden.
Uses and cultural aspects
The hardish, pink-brown wood is a useful general purpose timber (beams, floorboards,
furniture). It was once used for the spokes of wagon wheels. Some people believe that
touching this tree will attract lightning. But, the South Sotho prepare a medicine from it to
protect their kraals.
Growing Kiggelaria africana
Propagate it from seed or cuttings-set out young plants when 30
cm tall to prevent them from becoming pot bound. With good
conditions, young plants grow fast and flower when two years
old. It makes an excellent screen, forms an effective windbreak,
or develops into a large and wide-spreading shade tree (11 m
high x 13 m wide) with a non-aggressive root system. It has a
natural tendency to branch from low down-prune away the
lower branches early on if you want a tree shape.
Reasonably frost-hardy, it likes a moderate amount of water,
and a place in the sun. Always add plenty of compost to the soil
when planting, and apply a thick mulch layer (organic material,
e.g. dried leaves) to protect the surface of the soil. This tree grows in both summer and
winter rainfall areas. It tolerates temperatures ranging from about - 2°C to 36°C.
56
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Noltea Africana
Noltea is a monotypic genus of flowering plants. The single species, Noltea africana (commonly
known as the Soap Bush or Soap Dogwood), is a small, bushy tree of about 4 metres that is
endemic to the southern Cape of South Africa, where it grows beside rivers and in pockets of afromontane forest. It has small, white, mildly fragrant flowers and when it grows larger it assumes a
willow shape, with slightly weeping branches. The leaves are long and serrated and the young growth
is purple in colour.
The foliage of the "Soap bush" can be used to produce a soapy lather for cleaning, and this tree also
conveniently tends to grow near lakes and rivers.






Evergreen
Fast growing
Frost resistant
Likes Sun
Attracts Birds
Attracts Butterflies
57
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Olea europaea
Family: Oleaceae
Common names: Wild olive, olienhout (Afr.), Mohlware (NSotho, SSotho), umNquma
(Zulu, Xhosa, Swati), Mutlhwari (Venda), Motlhware (Tswana)
Frost-, drought- and wind-resistant, the wild olive has beautiful wood for furniture, and is
regarded as a small-fruited subspecies of the commercial olive.
Description
Olea europaea subsp. africana is a neatly shaped
evergreen tree with a dense spreading crown (9 x
12 m) of glossy grey-green to dark-green foliage.
Leaves are grey-green to dark-green above and
greyish below. The rough, grey bark sometimes
peels off in strips.
Sprays of tiny, lightly scented white to greenish
flowers (October to February) are followed
(March to July) by small, spherical, thinly fleshy
fruits (either sweet or sour) which ripen purple58
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
black.
Natural distribution
This tree is found in a variety of habitats, often near water, e.g. on rocky hillsides, on stream
banks and in woodland (where it can reach 12 m). It is widespread in Africa, Mascarene
Islands, Arabia, India to China.
Name derivation
The Latin name for olive is olea; europaea = from Europe, and africana = from Africa.
There are four species of Olea in South Africa.
Ecology
The fruits are popular with people, monkeys, baboons, mongooses, bushpigs, warthogs and
birds (e.g. redwinged and pied starlings, Rameron pigeons, African green pigeons, Cape
parrots and louries). Leaves are browsed by game and stock. This tree is an asset on farms
and game farms, especially in very dry areas because it is extremely hardy and is an
excellent fodder tree.
Uses and cultural aspects
A tea can be made from the leaves. The hard, heavy and beautiful golden-brown wood is
used for furniture, ornaments, spoons and durable fence posts. An ink is made from the
juice of the fruit. Traditional remedies prepared from this plant serve as eye lotions and
tonics, lower blood pressure, improve kidney function and deal with sore throats. The early
Cape settlers used the fruits to treat diarrhoea
.
Growing Olea europea subsp. africana
Propagate it from seed or from hardwood cuttings. Sow fresh seed in river sand. Treat
cuttings with a rooting hormone. The slow-growing frost, drought and wind-resistant wild
olive makes a good shade or screen plant in the home garden, on golf courses and
elsewhere. It is popular for bonsai, street planting, and for use at schools, office complexes,
and in parks. It is perfect for dry areas where it is an excellent fodder plant for stock and
game and it has also been used to stabilize erosion dongas/ditches.
Don't plant it too close to walls, patios or swimming pools, the root system can sometimes
be aggressive. Always add plenty of compost to the planting area and apply a thick mulch
layer (organic material, like dried leaves) to protect the soil surface. Water moderately
throughout the year. This tree has a wide distribution in South Africa and grows in both
summer and winter rainfall areas. It also occurs in very dry areas, and tolerates temperatures
ranging from about - 5°C to 40°C.
59
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Peltophorum africanum
Family: Fabaceae
Common names:African wattle, weeping wattle, huilboom, isiKhabamkhombe, umSehle, umThoboMosehla, isiKhabakhombe, Nhlanhlanbu,
Ndedeze, Mosathia, Musese,
Semi-deciduous to deciduous trees of about 15m with a spreading, untidy canopy. They
grows best in well drained soil. In older trees the bark is grooved and grey-brown; bark of
young branches is smooth and grey. The leaves are acacia-like and silver-grey covered with
fine hair; mature leaves yellowish at tip of branches. the leaves are twice compound with a
pair of leaflets at the tip; alternate; up to nine pairs of pinnae each with 10-20 pairs of leaflets;
leaf, stalk and rachis covered with reddish brown
hairs. The trees have no thorns.
Flowers form upright, showy sprays (150mm long) of
bright yellow flowers with crinkled petals on the ends
of branches; the stalk covered with reddish brown
hairs. These are followed by clusters of thin, flat dark
brown/black pods of about 100m, tapering to both
ends.
To propagate Peltophorun africanum place fresh seed
in hot water and leave overnight. Sow in a 5:1 mix of
river sand and compost. The trees are fast growing
and drought resistant, but they are frost tender for the
first three years.
Uses of Peltophorum africanum
This tree has many uses. Young leaves and pods are
eaten by livestock. Flowers provide a high yield of nectar and pollen for bee-keeping. The
timber can be used for furniture. The wood is good good for fuel. It makes a good shade tree
for both livestock and humans. There are also various medicinal uses recorded. Roots are
used to heal wounds, toothache and throat sores; root, leaves and bark used to clear intestinal
60
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
parasites and relieve stomach problems; bark relieves colic; stem and root used for diarrhoea
and dysentery. It is also used to treat eyes.
61
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Plumbago auriculata
Common names: Cape Leadwort, Plumbago (English); Blousyselbos (Afrikaans);
umabophe (Xhosa/ Zulu) umasheleshele (Zulu)
Family: Plumbaginaeae
Plumbago is an extremely reliable, resilient plant which has been popular for home gardens
as well as for commercial landscapes for many years. Plumbago may be found in gardens
all over the world, and was apparently popular as a standard plant in Europe.
In nature plumbago is a scrambling shrub, about 3m x 3m. It grows in scrub and thicket
(valley bushveld). The new growth is bright green, darker when mature. The leaves are thin
in texture and have minute gland dots. The leaf stalk is winged at the base, and clasps the
stem. Underneath the leaves are greyish green, sometimes with whitish scales apparently for
light reflection.
In summer the bush is covered with pretty trusses of pale
sky blue flowers, although there are often flowers at other
times of the year. The main flowering period is between
November and May. "Royal Cape" is a darker blue form
which is available in many nurseries. There is also a white
form which is very attractive. It is slightly less vigorous than
the normal blue but is a prolific flowerer and wonderful for
working gardeners who only see their gardens in the twilight
- the white blooms appear to glow in the dusk.
The distribution ranges from the southern Cape, Eastern
Cape and into KwaZulu-Natal. It appears in Gauteng and the adjacent areas of the Free
State and North West Province. There is also an isolated distribution in Mpumalanga.
Plumbago shares a habitat with Tecomaria capensis, the Cape Honeysuckle.
62
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
The genus Plumbago comprises 10 species from the
warmer parts of the world. There are 5 species in South
Africa.
The name Plumbago is derived from plumbum meaning
lead - referring to it being a supposed cure for lead
poisoning. Auriculata means ear shaped and refers to the
leaf base. Plumbago auriculata was known as P.
capensis, which was the name given by the botanist,
Thunberg in 1794. However, the plant had already been
named auriculata by Lamarck in 1786 in what was known as the East Indies where it had
been taken as a garden plant! The Dutch East India Company trade routes included the Cape
and this was most likely how the plant reached the East Indies.
Plumbago is visited by butterflies and is one of the larval foods plant for the common blue
butterfly (Cyclyrius pirithous) which is apparently fairly common in gardens as a result of
the popularity of plumbago as a garden plant.
Children often make "earrings" with the sticky flowers - letting them stick to their earlobes.
There are sticky, gland tipped hairs on the flower calyx. The seed capsule retains the
stickiness which presumably helps disperse the seed by attaching to animals. The top of the
capsule splits opens and drops the seed out.
Plumbago is used traditionally to treat warts, broken bones and wounds. It is taken as a
snuff for headaches and as an emetic to dispel bad dreams. A stick of the plant is placed in
the thatch of huts to ward off lightning.
Growing Plumbago auriculata
Plumbago makes a very good informal or formal
hedge as it responds well to pruning. It will flower
profusely after being cut back or after a growth flush,
as it bears flowers on new wood. It may need to be
cut back after winter to keep it tidy, even if this is
only done every few years. Plumbago will scramble
into trees if allowed and, depending on the size and
style of your garden, you may need to control it. It is
very useful in large gardens and landscapes as it
forms suckers and will cover fairly big areas. It is fast
growing, drought resistant and rewarding and will
grow in any soil but will perform best if planted with
plenty of compost. Plumbago is somewhat frost
tender but will quickly re-grow if damaged.
A relatively recent South African trend is to attract
birds and other wildlife to gardens by creating the right habitat. Plumbago makes a good,
fast growing "exclusion zone" or bush-clump plant for attracting birds such as robins which
like dense plant growth.
63
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Plumbago is propagated easily from seed, cuttings and suckers. Sow seed in spring in
seedling trays. Use good seedling mix and cover the seeds lightly. Do not allow to dry out.
The easiest method of propagation is to remove rooted suckers from the mother plant.
64
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Podocarpus falcatus
Family: Podocarpaceae (yellowwood family)
Common names: Outeniqua yellowwood, Outeniekwageelhout (Afrikaans)
mogôbagôba (Northern Sotho), umSonti (Zulu).
National tree list no. 16
This fast-growing, majestic yellowwood with its elegant shape is certainly a tree for all
seasons and all gardens. It is an excellent container plant and can also be decorated and used
as an indoor Christmas tree.
The new flush of bluish-grey leaves in spring
contrast beautifully against the older, dark green,
mature leaves. The plant belongs to the
Gymnospermae division of seed-bearing plants,
differing from Angiospermae by the fact that the
ovules are not enclosed in carpels-they are naked.
Podocarpaceae is one of only seven Gymnosperm
families found in South Africa, and this tree is
protected.
65
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Description
This tall, evergreen tree can reach a height of 45 m in
nature but luckily never reaching that great height in
garden cultivation.
The bark is interesting, being smooth and ridged on
younger stems and peeling off in flakes on the older trees.
The leaves are arranged spirally, with parallel veins and
smooth margins. The leaf tip is sharply pointed.
Male and female cones occur on different trees. The large,
yellow, fleshy fruits take a year to ripen and hang from the
branches in clusters.
Natural distribution
This tree occurs from the southern Cape, northwards to the Limpopo and also eastwards to
Mozambique.
Name derivation
Podos = foot, and karpos = fruit (Greek), allude to the
fruits of these trees being borne on fleshy stalks; falcatus
= sickle-shaped (Latin) alludes to the leaves.
It must be noted some schools of thought regard this
particular species as Afrocarpus falcatus. More on this
topic can be read in Leistner et al. (1995).
Ecological value
Ripe fruits are eaten by bats, bushpigs, fruit-eating birds
(Cape parrots, purple-crested, Knysna and Ross's louries, Rameron, African green and
Delagorgue's pigeons). The large, dense crown is often a roosting and nesting site for
various birds.
Uses and economic value
The wood is used extensively for furniture, roof beams, floorboards, door and window
frames and boat building. Some of the famous yellowwood antiques seen throughout South
Africa were made from the wood of this specific tree. The straight stems of these trees were
once used for the topmasts of ships. The bark is used for tanning leather. Podocarpus
falcatus could make an ideal indigenous substitute for the exotic pine trees currently being
used in plantations; trials done at a forest station at Magoebaskloof showed that the yield is
similar, with the growth rate and quality of the wood comparing favourably to that of
commercial pine. The ripe fruit is edible and very resinous. The sap is used as a remedy for
chest complaints.
Growing Podocarpus falcatus
Remove the fleshy part of the fruit (cone) to expose the seed. This process is very important
as the fleshy part contains an inhibitor, which seems to suppress germination. The fresh
seed can be sown directly into black nursery bags or into deep seed trays using a mixture of
66
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
well-rotted compost and washed sand (1:1). The seed must be pushed and bedded into the
mixture and covered with a light layer of soil. The mixture must stay moist at all times.
Some of the seed may take up to six months to germinate, so be patient. Seedlings can be
pricked out at a height of 50-80 mm and planted into bags or pots. Care must be taken not to
damage the taproot as this may slow the initial growth rate of the plant.
67
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Podocarpus henkelii
Family: Podocarpaceae (Yellowwood Family)
Common names: Henkel's Yellowwood (Eng), Henkel-se geelhout (Afr), UmSonti
(Zulu)
This is one of the most beautiful and decorative of our indigenous conifers, a tree that any
plant enthusiast would be proud to have in their garden. With its dense glossy foliage, it
makes a most elegant pyramid of green in the garden.
In its natural environment Podocarpus henkelii is a tall to very tall, straight stemmed forest
tree, reaching 20 to 30 m in height. In time, its trunk can grow to massive proportions,
reaching over 1m in diameter, becoming fluted and spirally twisted with age. It is an
evergreen tree with a dark grey to pale grey-brown, longitudinally fissured bark. In older
trees this bark sometimes peels off in large pieces, exposing a red-brown under-surface.
It has grey and ridged branchlets and the young shoots are pale green and angular. The
leaves are simple, short stalked, lanceolate-oblong, 9-12cm long, sharp pointed, with entire
68
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
and slightly revolute (rolled under) margins. They are spirally arranged, often crowded at
the end of the branchlets, and more or less pendulous. The longer, droopy leaves make it
easy to distinguish this species from the other yellowwoods growing in South
Africa. Podocarpus henkelii has straight or somewhat falcate (sickle-shaped) leaves, hence
it was once called the falcate yellowwood. This name had to be dropped because it was
confused with Podocarpus falcatus, the Outeniqua yellowwood. The leaves of Henkel's
yellowwood are bright green to bluish green and glossy above, dull green with a prominent
midrib below. The young leaves are pale green and soft.
This handsome tree is dioecious, i.e. it has male and female reproductive organs on separate
plants. Yellowwoods belong to a primitive group of plants called the Gymnospermae.
Gymnosperms, often called conifers, are cone-bearing plants, distinguished from the other
major plant group, the Angiospermae or flowering plants, as their ovules and resultant seeds
are borne unprotected in the cone whereas in angiosperms the ovules and seeds are
protected in an ovary. Other gymnosperms include cycads, pines and cypresses.
Male Podocarpus henkelii cones are erect, pink, and 2-3cm long and are solitary or in
clusters of up to 5. Female cones are solitary, but shortly stalked. The seed is large and
roundish and 1,5-2cm in diameter and olive green to yellowish green when ripe.
Seed is dispersed by birds. Large old yellowwood trees form the perferred nesting sites of
the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) and the kernels of the seeds are a major source of
food for this bird.
Podocarpus henkelii is found from the former Transkei in the Eastern Cape to KwaZuluNatal. It is most abundant in moist inland forest, locally common in montane forest of the
Northern KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg. The largest concentrations of Podocarpus
henkelii are found in areas between Mt Ayliff, Kokstad and Harding.
Podocarpus henkelii is moderately drought-resistant and frost hardy. This is a highland
forest species that grows best on moist sites with high rainfall and deep doleritic soils.
This tree is protected by SA Forestry Legislation as well as Nature Conservation
Legislation.
Podocarpus henkelii was named after Dr JS Henkel (1871-1962) a conservator for forests in
the Cape Province and KwaZulu-Natal, and later director of forestry in Zimbabwe. He was
the first to recognise that this is not a variety of Podocarpus latifolius but a distinct species.
The genus name is derived from Greek words podos a foot and karpos a fruit, referring to
the fleshy fruit-stalks in some species.
There are nearly100 species in this genus, found mainly in the montane forest of the tropics
and sub-tropics and at lower altitudes in temperate regions mainly in the southern
hemisphere. There are four species in southern Africa, distributed in Northern Province,
Mpumalanga, Swaziland, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Eastern Cape. At
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden we have good specimens of all four southern
African species: Podocarpus henkelii, Podocarpus elongatus, Podocarpus falcatus and
Podocarpus latifolius.
69
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
South African yellowwoods
Podocarpus henkelii
(Henkel's yellowwood)
Podocarpus elongatus
(Breede River yellowwood)
Podocarpus latifolius
(Real yellowwood)
Podocarpus (Afrocarpus) falcatus
(Outeniqua yellowwood)
The yellowwoods in general are regarded as South Africa's national tree, although
sometimes Podocarpus latifolius is singled out for this honour. Wood, especially that
from P. falcatus and P. latifolius is prized for furniture making and was used extensively in
the past for floor and ceiling boards.
Growing Podocarpus henkelii
Podocarpus henkelii is a very neat decorative tree suitable for both home gardens and large
landscapes. It makes and excellent specimen tree for lawns and is a good choice for an
70
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
avenue. Podocarpus henkelii is also suited for formal gardens, as it can be pruned to the
desired shape. It can also be left to achieve an informal finish.
Seed collection from this tree is a struggle as the fungal disease black coral spot destroys
many of the seeds. The seed that falls during the first 2-3 weeks is always highly infested,
only the seed collected afterwards is good. The seed is perishable and must be kept in cold
storage after collection. Under normal nursery conditions, seed germination takes 2 months.
The germination period can be shortened by placing the seed trays on bottom-heated
benches.
Podocarpus henkelii grows best in deep and moist, sandy or loamy soil. It can tolerate less
favourable sites, but then grows very slowly. Judicious application of organic fertiliser will
speed up growth.
71
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Podocarpus latifolius
Family : Podocarpaceae
Common names : real yellowwood ( Eng. ); opregte geelhout (Afr.); Umkhomba
(Xhosa); Mogobagoba (Northern Sotho); Muhovho-hovho ( Venda ); Umsonti (Zulu)
The real yellowwood is one of South Africa 's most
valued timber trees. It is also South Africa 's National
Tree.
Description
Podocarpus latifolius is a slow-growing, usually large,
evergreen tree, which grows to between 20 and 30 m in
height. Under some conditions, the tree does not grow
more than about 2 m but looks very old and full of
character.
The wood is yellow and quite similar to P. falcatus, the
Outeniqua yellowwood, although not as dark or of the
same quality. The bark is greyish and smooth when
young but shows the characteristic longitudinal fissures
as it matures. The bark peels off in strips.
The glossy green leaves are long and narrow. The
leaves on young trees are always larger than on mature trees. The new leaves are very
noticeable as they form clusters of pale green or bronze at the ends of branches,
compared to the dark green of the older leaves.
There are male and female trees. The male cones (July to September) resemble catkins
(an inflorescence adapted for wind pollination, found on the exotic Betula species, for
example) while the female tree develops round, grey/blue seeds on thickened, fleshy,
stalks known as receptacles, which as they mature, turn purple (December to
February).
Status
All the species of Podocarpus are protected in South Africa . In the past, they were so
72
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
sought after as timber trees, that from being an abundant resource they became almost
extinct in some areas. Yellowwood furniture commands high prices today because of
its rarity.
Distribution and Habitat
The real yellowwood grows naturally in mountainous areas and forests in the southern,
eastern and northern parts of South Africa, extending into Zimbabwe and further north.
It is also found on rocky hillsides and mountain slopes but does not get as tall where it
is exposed as it does in the forests.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
The genus and species names are derived from Greek words, podo which means
foot, carpus which means fruit, lati which means wide and folius which means leaf.
Podocarpaceae is a small cone-bearing family, which, along with the indigenous
cedars, represent the small number of coniferous tree species indigenous to South
Africa.
Ecology
When the berry-like receptacles ripen, birds such as pigeons and turacos feed on them.
They are also eaten by monkeys, bushpigs and sometimes by people.
Uses and cultural aspects
The real yellowwood has apparently been used more than any other South African
timber. Floors in the old Cape homesteads were made of this wood. The soft yellow
colour of the wood contrasts beautifully with the dark-coloured stinkwood ( Ocotea
bullata ) and these two timbers were often used together to make furniture. The real
yellowwood was used a lot for tables and cupboards, as it polishes up very well. The
South African Railways used to use the timber to make railway sleepers. In the old
days it was used to make wagon boxes. Coffins were often made of it too. An unusual
use was that of a butcher's block because the wood is hard and did not chip easily. It
also has no scent, so it did not taint the meat.
The real yellowwood is slow-growing, but very long-lived and it is able to withstand
some frost. The unusual textural appearance of the leaves makes it a good contrast or
background for other trees. The colourful receptacles of the female tree are most
attractive. This tree would make an interesting container plant and can withstand short
periods indoors. The leaf size and interesting bark are good characteristics for bonsai.
Growing Podocarpus latifolius
Seed should be cleaned and sown fresh in a mix of sand and compost. Do not allow it
to dry out or germination will be poor. The seed may be parasitized if collected from
the ground below the tree. Transplant with care and avoid damaging the taproot. The
expected growth rate in cultivation is quite slow, but this depends on conditions. It will
grow better with good soil, water and shelter from strong winds. It does not usually
grow as tall in cultivation as it would in its forest habitat, especially if not given a good
water supply.
73
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Searsia lancea
Family: Anacardiaceae
Common Names: Karee (English), Karee or Rooikaree (Afrikaans), mokalabata,
Monhlohlo, Motshakhutshakhu (Northern Sotho), iNhlangutshane (Siswati),
Mosinabele, Mosilabele (South Sotho), Mosabele, Mosilabele (Tswana), Mushakaladza
(Venda), umHlakotshane (Xhosa).
National Tree List No. 386
The karee is a small to medium sized evergreen tree that usually grows to a height of 7 m
and a width of 7 m but can be larger
depending on environmental factors.
It is usually a single-stemmed, low branching
tree which has a dense, soft, round canopy.
The karee has a course textured bark and on
older specimens it is dark grey or brown in
colour while on young branches and trees it is
a reddish brown-colour. The leaves are
trifoliate (a compound leaf with three
leaflets), possessing narrowly lanceolate
(lance shaped) leaflets. The leaves are dark
green above and paler green below. They do
not have any hairs on them and the margins of
the leaves are entire. The leaves are leathery
and are often sickle shaped.
The small, inconspicuous flowers are presented as much-branched sprays which are
74
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
greenish-yellow in colour and are produced from June until September. The male and
female flowers occur on separate trees. The fruit are small (up to 5mm in diameter), round,
slightly flattened and covered with a thin fleshy layer which is glossy and yellowish to
brown when ripe. The fruits are produced from September until January.
Searsia was named after Paul B. Sears (1891-1990) who was head of the Yale School of
Botany, and lancea refers to the lance shaped leaflets.
The karee occurs naturally in Acacia woodland and along drainage lines, rivers and streams.
It is often found growing on lime rich substrates. The karee occurs from Zambia in the north
to the Western Cape in the south. It is found throughout the Freestate and in parts of all the
other provinces of South Africa except for KwaZulu-Natal.
The fruit is eaten by birds such as bulbuls, guineafowl and francolins. Game animals such
as kudu, roan antelope and sable browse the leaves of the tree which can serve as an
important food source for them in times of drought. The sweetly scented flowers attract
bees and other insects to them. Searsia lancea is useful in providing natural soil
stabilisation and increasing infiltration of rainwater into the soil thus reducing erosion and
raising the ground water table.
The leaves of the karee provide valuable fodder for livestock but can taint the flavour of
milk if eaten in large quantities by dairy cattle as a result of the resin contained in them. The
tree is also an important source of shade for livestock in certain regions. The bark, twigs
and leaves provide tannin. In the past the hard wood was used for fence posts, tool handles
and parts of wagons. Bowls, tobacco pipes and bows were also made from the wood. The
fruits are edible and were once used as an important ingredient of mead or honey beer. The
word karee is said to be the original Khoi word for mead.
Growing Searsia lancea
The karee is an excellent shade tree especially in hot regions such as the Karoo and
Kalahari since it is evergreen and drought resistant. Searsia lancea does not have an
aggressive root system and can be used near paving and tarred surfaces. Because the karee
is hardy, frost resistant and evergreen, it is ideal for establishing a protective canopy for
frost sensitive and shade loving plants. It could thus be considered as a possible pioneer
plant for establishing a new forest in an area that receives frost. Searsia lancea is suitable
for use as a large hedge along the boundaries of properties such as farms because of its
dense growth habit. The density of the plant makes it suitable for use as a screen or barrier
against wind, noise, objectionable views or to provide privacy. The karee can adapt well to
different soils including those that are poorly drained (which means that it can be planted
almost anywhere). Searsia lancea is therefore ideally suited for use as a street tree.
Aesthetically the karee is a graceful tree possessing a willow-like appearance due to its
drooping habit and this makes it suitable for use near water e.g. next to a water garden, dam
or river.
Searsia lancea can be propagated easily from seed, cuttings or layers. The ripe seed should
be sown in seedling trays using a good seedling medium and transplanted into bigger
containers when the seedlings reach the two leaf stage. Cuttings can be taken using young
growth from September till October. The tree can grow up to 80 cm a year and is thus fairly
75
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
fast growing. Because the tree is both drought and frost resistant it does not require any
special attention once it has established its root system.
Historical aspects
Most of the species grown in southern Africa, belonging to the genus Rhus, have been
placed in Searsia. In southern Africa there are about 111 species of Searsia. Searsia
lancea belongs to the family Anacardiaceae (the Mango family) which is the fourth largest
tree family in southern Africa. This family is composed of at least 80 native tree
species. Searsia is easy to recognise, as the leaves are all trifoliate and have a resinous smell
when crushed. Common edible fruit and seeds that belong to this family include the mango,
pistachio nut and cashew nut. The resinous substance is poisonous in many species such as
poison ivy.
76
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Searsia leptodictya
Family: Anacardiaceae (mango family)
Common names : mountain karee, rock karee ( Eng. ); bergkaree, klipkaree (Afr.);
inHlangushane (siSwati); Mohlwehlwe (Northern Sotho)
The mountain karee is an essential 'bird-garden' tree, which also makes a good frosthardy, and drought-tolerant shade tree. Another special feature is that an intoxicating
drink can be made of the fruit!
Description
Searsia leptodictya is a shrub or small tree with an irregularly rounded crown. It
sometimes has arching branches, which may give it character in a garden. It can reach
up to 9 m but is usually a rather scrubby bush of about 3 to 4 m. The bark is rough and
dark brown (somewhat like the karee,Searsia
lancea ).
As with most other Seawrsia species the
leaves are divided into three leaflets. These
are thinly textured, bright green, narrow and
have toothed margins. If the leaves are
crushed, they release a resiny smell. In colder
areas, the leaves fall in winter. A useful way
to distinguish the mountain karee from other,
similar Searsia species is that the two lateral
leaflets are at right angles to the terminal one. It is also worth noting that crosspollination between species occurs, especially in cultivation where
several Searsia species may be planted together, out of their natural range. Seedlings
with a confusing mix of features then appear in the garden.
The flowers are minute, yellowish and carried in sprays from about December to April.
Male and female flowers occur on separate trees. The fruits are tiny drupes (which are
single-seeded stone fruit such as plums and cherries) that have a flattened, squarish
look. The clusters of fruit have an attractive, almost multicoloured appearance varying
77
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
from yellow to red-brown. They appear from about March to June. S.
leptodictya grows quickly (apparently up to 1 m per year) which is part of its
popularity as a cultivated plant.
Distribution and Habitat
Its natural distribution stretches across the four northern provinces in South Africa and
includes the northern Free State . It is also found in Swaziland, Botswana , Zimbabwe
and Mozambique. The mountain karee grows naturally in a variety of habitat types
including woodland, forest margins and bushveld. In most cases it prefers rocky
hillsides within the habitat. It is frost resistant and also fairly drought resistant which is
demonstrated by the fact that the Witwatersrand lies within its distribution and here the
winters are cold and dry.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
Searsia was named after Paul B. Sears (1891-1990) who was head of the Yale School
of Botany and dentata is derived from Latin meaning deeply toothed. The specific
epithet, leptodictya, refers to the fine network of veins on the leaf.
Most of the species grown in southern Africa, belonging to the genus Rhus, have been
placed in Searsia. In southern Africa there are about 111 species of Searsia. Searsia
leptodictya is a member of the economically important mango family which has about
200 species world-wide. It has about 75 to 80 trees and shrubs in southern Africa,
which makes it one of the largest tree families in the region. The family includes an
African icon, the marula tree (Sclerocarya birrea) of southern and tropical Africa . In
South Africa, mango fruit production (Mangifera indica from India and South East
Asia) is an important part of the agricultural economy of the hot, low-lying regions
such as the province of Limpopo. Pistachio nut (Pistacia vera) and the cashew
(Anacardium occidentale) are also exotic members of the mango family which have
economic significance. Other alien species within the family are important in South
Africa because of their invasive nature. These are from South America, namely the
pepper tree, (Schinus molle) and the Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius ).
Ecology
Game animals such as giraffe, eland, blue duiker and kudu feed on the mountain karee.
While the tree is in fruit, it is alive with birds such as bulbuls, barbets, white-eyes and
mousebirds. I have also seen Karoo thrushes performing rather ridiculous-looking,
78
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
almost balletic leaps from the ground to reach low-hanging trusses of fruit. Birds
disperse the seed when it passes through the gut, usually once the bird has moved on
elsewhere.
Uses and cultural aspects
Domestic animals feed on the tree during times of drought and this apparently does not
cause as much tainting of milk, which occurs when stock feed on Searsia lancea. Beer
is made from fermenting the fruit, which are edible but sour. Small household articles
can be made from the wood. It is commonly used as a street tree as it does not have an
aggressive root system.
Growing Searsia leptodictya
The mountain karee is a very good tree for attracting birds to the garden. Apart from
the abundant fruit crop, it is quite "twiggy" and dense and offers hiding places.
Remember that you will need to plant a female tree for fruit! Your nursery may be able
to help you tell the difference if their trees are in flower. If you have the space, planting
several might ensure that you get at least one female. The mountain karee will need to
be pruned into a tree shape in the first few years by removing low-growing branches.
Alternatively, in a medium to large garden, it may by included as a shrub in an
"exclusion zone" (a dense planting that keeps out people and pets!) which helps attract
the shyer species of garden birds.
Serasia leptodictya should be grown from seed during summer. The seed needs to be
removed from the pulp after harvesting. The seed can be soaked during the night before
sowing to help with germination. Sow in seedling trays and cover lightly with sand. It
has a good germination rate but the trays should not be allowed to dry out. When the
young plants have two leaves they may be transplanted into bags.
Although the mountain karee is able to survive drought and frost in most types of soil
(well-drained is best) it would encourage a larger, more stately specimen if water were
provided during establishment. Also the addition of fertilizers, such as superphosphates, at planting and good, composted soil will be a good investment. A full
sunny position would be best but light shade is tolerated.
79
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Tarchonanthus camphoratus
Common name: Camphor bush (E), Moologa (V), Mofahlana (S.sotho), Igqeba
emlimhlophe (Z), Wildekanferbos (A), Mofathla (T)
Family: Asteraceae
South African Tree Number 733
This interesting small tree with its attractive grey foliage is particularly suited to tough
conditions. From sites blasted by wind and coastal sea spray to dry inland gardens, it
performs well. It is even able to shoot from the base if burnt almost to the ground. If you are
looking for a survivor for your difficult landscape site- this is it!
The name Tarchonanthus is derived from the Greek word meaning funeral flower. This
name is divided into two parts, 'Tarchos', which means funeral rites and 'Anthos' meaning
flower. It is unclear why this name was given, but Jackson (1990) suggests it may have to
do with the camphorous smell. The namecamphoratus refers to the strong smell of camphor
given off when the leaves are crushed.
The camphor bush is widespread in Southern Africa. It grows in thickets of bushveld,
grassland, forest and semi-desert. It grows mostly in sandy soils in the low-lying and sand
forest of the coast.
Tarchonanthus camphoratus grows from 2-9m high. It is a semi-deciduous small tree that
grows mostly in large uniform groups, but it grows larger and more densely when it grows
alone among other trees in the bush. The branches and foliage make a V-shaped canopy.
The stem is covered with pale brown bark. Leaves are grey green above and pale grey and
felted underneath, with prominent venation on the underside. The leaves are narrow, with
entire or finely toothed margins.
The creamy-white flowers are borne in a branched inflorescence on the terminal end of the
branch. The fruits are covered with fluffy cottonwool-like hairs, and are produced mostly in
80
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
March to November. These woolly, white fruiting heads are strongly scented and most
attractive. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees.
The camphor bush is used for medicinal purposes. Problems such as blocked sinuses and
headache can be healed by inhaling the smoke from the burning green leaves. Drinking
boiled mixture of leaves and water can help to treat coughing, toothache, abdominal pain
and bronchitis. Leaves can also be used for massaging body stiffness and also as a perfume.
The cottonwool like seedheads were used to stuff cushions.
Animals such as kudu, giraffe, impala and springbok browse the leaves of this tree.
There are only a few species of Tarchonanthus. T trilobus is also in cultivation. The genus
occurs in Africa and Arabia. It is closely related to Brachylaena, which also provides
attractive, grey-leafed, small trees for the garden..
Growing Tarchonanthus camporatus
This tree can be used in the garden for areas with severe frost and drought. It is also an
excellent tree for creating tall hedges or windbreaks in coastal gardens and for binding sand
dunes. It provides a good shape and it can be also used as a bonsai specimen.
Propagate this tree from seed, which may take 8 weeks to germinate. It may also be
propagated by softwood cuttings. Young plants transplant fairly easily. The tree requires no
special nurturing.
81
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Tecoma capensis
Family name: Bignoniaceae
Common names: Cape honeysuckle (E), Malangula (Swazi), umsilingi (Xhosa)
Cape honeysuckle is a fast growing, scrambling shrub which may grow up to 2-3m high and
spread more than 2.5m. This shrub is widely distributed throughout Northern Province,
Mpumalanga, Swaziland, KwaZulu-Natal, Cape coast and Mozambique. Until recently it
was known as Tecomaria capensis.Tecoma capensis is an evergreen plant in warm climate
areas but loses its leaves in colder areas. It has pinnately compound leaves that have oval
leaflets with blunt teeth. Flowering time for this shrub is very erratic and often it flowers all
year round. Flowers vary from red, deep orange, yellow to salmon. Flowers are tubular and
bird pollinated, attracting nectar-feeding birds, especially sunbirds.
Tecoma capensis is an ornamental garden plant commonly used for screening and
decorative purposes. It can also be trimmed to form a hedge. It is often planted specifically
to attract birds and butterflies. The powdered bark of this attractive garden plant is used as a
traditional medicine to relieve pain and sleeplessness.
82
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Growing Tecoma capensis
Tecoma capensis is widely cultivated and very easy to propagate. It can be propagated from
cuttings or by removing rooted suckers during the active growth phase. In frosty areas
young plants should be protected. Cape honeysuckle can be planted in semi-shade to full
sun. To keep this shrub clean and tidy, it must be pruned back in late winter to promote new
growth and flowers. The application of a balanced fertilizer after pruning will enhance the
growth and flowering.
83
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Ziziphus mucronata
Family: Rhamnaceae
Common names: buffalo thorn (Eng.); blinkblaar-wag-'n-bietjie (Afr.); umPhafa,
umLahlankosi, isiLahla (isiZulu); umPhafa (isiXhosa); umLahlabantu (Swazi);
mokgalo (Tswana); mutshetshete (Venda); mphasamhala (Tsonga); mokgalô,
moonaona (N Sotho)
National Tree No.: 447
Ziziphus mucronata, or as it is more frequently known, the wag-'n-bietjie tree
represents life as we know it. The young twigs are zigzag, indicating that life is not
always straightforward. Two thorns at the nodes are also significant; one facing
backward represents where we come from and one facing forward, represents where
we are going.
Description
84
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Ziziphus mucronata is a small to medium-sized tree, 3-10(-20) m high; with a
spreading canopy. The main stem is green and hairy when young; year old branches
often zigzag; the bark is reddish brown or roughly mottled grey, cracked into small
rectangular blocks, revealing a red and stringy under-surface. Young stems are reddish
brown.
Leaves are simple, alternate; ovate or broadly ovate; vary enormously in size from tree
to tree, 30-90 x 20-50 mm, tapering or often mucronate apex, base strongly
asymmetrical, cordate to rounded on one side; margin finely serrated, often badly eaten
by insects, glossy green above, slightly hairy and paler below; 3- to 5-veined from the
base; veins covered with fine hairs when young; petiole up to 20 mm long; stipules,
when present, take the form of small thorns at the nodes, one straight and one hooked.
Leaves turn golden yellow in autumn. Flowers are borne in dense clusters in leaf axils;
green to yellow; ± 4mm in diameter; inconspicuous (October-February). The fruit is a
smooth, shiny, leathery, spherical drupe, 12-20 mm in diameter, reddish-brown or deep
red when ripe, slightly sweet, the pulp is dry. The fruit sometimes stays on the plant
long after the leaves have fallen (March-August). The seeds are usually solitary,
elliptic and compressed.
Red Data status : Not evaluated (NE).
85
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
Geographic distribution
The buffalo thorn is distributed throughout the summer rainfall areas of sub-Saharan
Africa, extending from South Africa northwards to Ethiopia and Arabia.
Natural habitat
Ziziphus mucronata grows in areas dominated by thorny vegetation in both temperate
and tropical climates. It is also found in a wide range of habitats such as woodlands,
open scrubland, on rocky koppies, open grasslands, on a variety of soils along streams,
nutrient-rich valley bottoms and forest margins. It reaches its largest size on the
margins of scrub forest and on deep, alluvial soils near water. Its presence is said to
indicate the presence of underground water.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
The ancient Greeks called the tree zizyphon, from the Arabic zizouf, a name for the
mythical lotus. This was taken into Latin as zizyphum, or zizypha for the fruits. The
species name mucronata is Latin meaning pointed, probably referring to its thorns or
the apex of its leaves. The stipular thorns at the nodes give the tree its common
Afrikaans name of wag-'n-beetjie. For all their smallness, these thorns are extremely
vicious, and all those who have come into contact with them,will know that you have
to wait-a-bit if you want to free yourself from them.
There are 49 genera and 900 species in the family Rhamnaceae (Simpson 2006). The
genus Ziziphus includes some 86 species, of which the one discussed here is among the
commonest and best known trees of southern Africa. Another well-known species in
this genus is Z. mauritiana, the ber or jujube tree, the fruits of which are often found in
shops which sell Asian foodstuffs.
Historically, the genus is of interest. Christ's crown of thorns is supposed to have been
made from Ziziphus spina-christi Willd., a species which closely resembles Z.
mucronata but which grows from central Africa northwards (Palmer & Pitman 1972).
Ecology
Although the fruit of Ziziphus mucronata cannot be counted as very tasty, the tree itself
plays an important role ecologically. The leaves and fruit are sought after by birds of
many species, wild animals and domestic stock. Giraffes are known to be especially
fond of the leaves of this tree. Impala often feed on the dead leaves lying under the
tree. Its inconspicuous, green to yellow flowers produce abundant nectar and often
yield a good honey.
86
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
© Geoff Nichols
Medicinal and cultural uses
A decoction of the glutinous roots is commonly administered as a painkiller for all
sorts of pains as well as dysentery. A concoction of the bark and the leaves is used for
respiratory ailments and other septic swellings of the skin. Pastes of the root and leaves
can be applied to treat boils, swollen glands, wounds and sores. Steam baths from the
bark are used to purify and improve the complexion (Palmer & Pitman 1972). In East
Africa, roots are used for treating snake bites (Hutchings et al. 1996). All of the above
can be attributed to the peptide alkaloids and antifungal properties isolated from the
bark and leaves.
The berries are edible and were used by residents in the former Transvaal in making
porridge or as a coffee substitute. The fruit can also make a beer if fermented properly.
During the Anglo-Boer war, the seeds were ground and used as a coffee substitute.
Africans have many beliefs and superstitions attached to this tree. Zulus and Swazis
use the buffalo thorn in connection with burial rites. It was once customary that when a
Zulu chief died, the tree was planted on his grave as a reminder or symbol of where the
chief lies. Hence the name umLahlankosi- that which buries the chief. A twig from the
tree was and is still used to attract and carry the spirit of the deceased from the place of
death to the new resting place. When a stock owner died, and was buried according to
custom, within the cattle or goat kraal, some branches were placed on the grave so that
the animals nibbled on leaves and twigs, and so understood that their master had died
(Palmer & Pitman 1972). In other parts, Africans drag a branch round the village to
protect it from evil spirits, as it is believed to keep evil spirits away.
In Botswana as well as most parts of South Africa, the residents believed the buffalo
thorn to be immune against lightning, anyone standing under one in a storm would be
safe. It is also believed that if it is felled in summer, a drought, hail or lightning will
certainly follow.
Wood from this tree is used for timber, wagon making and fence posts as it yields a
yellow, fine-grained, heavy wood which contains 12.2-15.7% tanning matter (Watt &
Brandwijk 1962). The elasticity of the shoots makes it suitable for bows and whip
sticks. Some African tribes use the thorny branches to make kraals or hedges. This
87
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
protects their livestock from lions and other predators.
Growing Ziziphus mucronata
The species is very easily raised from seed or cuttings, growing in just about any soil
type and withstanding heat and cold equally well.
The seed however has poor keeping properties and should be sown fresh. After
cleaning the nut, it can be placed between the jaws of a vice or a normal nutcracker and
closed gradually until the nut cracks and seed is released. The seeds can then be
covered with hot water, allowed to cool, soaked for two days and sown.
Seedlings should appear within one to two weeks. Seedlings and small plants need
moderate water, full sun and efficient drainage or they will damp off. Even though this
plant is said to be one of the most adaptable trees, growing in all types of soil and
having the ability to withstand intense heat, cold and drought, the same cannot be said
for the seedlings. As with most plants, immunity is acquired with increased stature.
Small trees are often available at nurseries selling indigenous plants.
While slow-growing (0.3 m or less per annum), it makes a pleasant shade tree and
gives life to the garden by luring birds and insects such as butterflies, beetles and bees.
88
GEKCO Arbour day: A guide to the trees & plants for sale in 2013
References
For more information about the trees please visit
PlantZAfrica: http://www.plantzafrica.com/ which has been made available by the
South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa.
89