Indigenous Southern African trees: Search TreeBook's trees by name
Scientific name starts with
English name starts with
Afrikaanse naam begin met
Carissa macrocarpa | Big num-num | Grootnoemnoem | Bears large, red, edible fruit in profusion, LOVED by fruit eating birds. Oubaai Golf Estate
Carissa macrocarpa
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English name is
Big num-num
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Afrikaans name is
Grootnoemnoem
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.
It is hardy -survives a minimum temperature of -2C
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It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, compost rich
-
Mature size?
Small: 2m high; 3m crown
-
Plant in container?
Yes
-
It's leaf growth is
evergreen
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It's growth rate is
medium
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It's roots are
non-aggressive
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It's drought tolerance?
Needs modest water
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on same tree
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Birds?
Fruit eaters
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Screening value?
up to 2m
showy flowers
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Flowers?
-
Value to game?
no value
Gardening ideas
Suitable for planting in a small garden as a screening tree or to attract fruit eating birds. Big num-num responds well to pruning, can be pruned into a formal shape and will grow in a large container. It is a deserving screening tree, alternatively focal point. Carrissa macrocarpa is a no-nonsense, easy grower.
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Cassia abbreviata | Sjambok pod | Sjambokpeul | Yellow flowers in profusion followed by sjambok-like fruit. | Kruger National Park
Cassia abbreviata
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English name is
Sjambok pod
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Afrikaans name is
Sjambokpeul
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It is mildly sensitive (min. temperature -0.5C)
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It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, sandy
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Mature size?
Small: 6m high; 4m crown
-
Plant in container?
No
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It's leaf growth is
deciduous
-
It's growth rate is
medium
-
It's roots are
non-aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Drought tolerant
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on the same tree
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Birds?
Seed eaters
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Screening value?
None
showy flowers in profusion
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Flowers?
-
Value to game?
browse leaves
Gardening ideas
Suitable for a small or even very small garden. Plant this tree for its bright yellow, showy flowers which are often born in profusion. Its sjambok-like pods remain on the tree for a long time, attracting seed eating birds. Sjambok pod's fresh-green spring leaves and flowers will add to the beauty and uniqueness of your garden.
More information?
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Catha edulis
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English name is
Bushmen's tea
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Afrikaans name is
Boesmanstee
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.
It is mildly sensitive ( min. temperature is -0.5C)
-
It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, sandy
-
Mature size?
Small: 8m high; 4m crown
-
Plant in container?
No
-
It's leaf growth is
deciduous
-
It's growth rate is
medium
-
It's roots are
non-aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Needs modest water
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on same the tree
-
Birds?
None
-
Screening value?
None
inconspicuous
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
browse leaves
Gardening ideas
Suitable for planting in a small garden as "something out-of-the-ordinary"
More information?
Celtis africana | White stinkwood | A statuesque indigenous tree. Very hardy, medium to large deciduous tree
Celtis africana
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English name is
White stinkwood
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Afrikaans name is
Witstinkhout
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.
It is very hardy (min. temperature is -6C)
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It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, compost rich
-
Mature size?
Medium: 10m high; 6m crown
-
Plant in container?
Yes
-
It's leaf growth is
deciduous
-
It's growth rate is
medium
-
It's roots are
slightly aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Drought tolerant
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on same the tree
-
Birds?
Fruit eaters
-
Screening value?
None
inconspicuous
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
browse leaves
Gardening ideas
Suitable for planting in a small garden as a summer shade tree. Celtis africana's leaves gradually turns yellow from February and is without any leaves for about 3 months. Be warned that unscrupulous nurseries sell celtis sinensis (a non-indigenous species) as "White stinkwood". Sinensis cross pollinates with Celtis africana, slowly destroying our indigenous specie. If you have sinensis in your garden, please remove them.
More information?
Lightning bush | Shrub or small tree which always have a few red leaves | Montagu Pass
Clutia pulchella
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English name is
Lightning-bush
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Afrikaans name is
Bliksembos
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.
It is hardy -survives a min. temperature of -2C
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It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, compost rich
-
Mature size?
Small: 2m high; 2m crown
-
Plant in container?
Yes
-
It's leaf growth is
deciduous
-
It's growth rate is
fast
-
It's roots are
non-aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Needs modest water
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on same the tree
-
Birds?
None
-
Screening value?
up to 2m
inconspicuous
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
no value
Gardening ideas
Suitable for a very small garden. Use Clutia pulchella as a screening plant up to 2m. It is something different.
More information?
Combretum erythrophyllum | River bushwillow | A no nonsense, easy to grow, deciduous tree with many gardening applications
Combretum erythrophyllum
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English name is
River bushwillow
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Afrikaans name is
Riviervaderlandswilg
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.
It is very hardy -survives a minimum temperature of -6C
-
It will grow in soil type:
well-drained compost rich
-
Mature size?
Medium: 10m high; 8m crown
-
Plant in container?
No
-
It's leaf growth is
deciduous
-
It's growth rate is
fast
-
It's roots are
slightly aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Needs modest water
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on same the tree
-
Birds?
None
-
Screening value?
None
inconspicuous
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
no value
Gardening ideas
Suitable for a small garden. Plant a single Combretum erythrophylum to provide shade in summer and filtered sunlight in winter. A hardy tree with a pleasing and informal shape.
More information?
Velvet bush willow | a good choice for a small garden | Leeuwfontein Estates, Pretoria
Combretum molle
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English name is
Velvet bush willow
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Afrikaans name is
Fluweelboswilg
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.
It is hardy -survives a min. temperature of -2C
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It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, sandy
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Mature size?
Small: 5m high; 4m crown
-
Plant in container?
No
-
It's leaf growth is
semi-deciduous
-
It's growth rate is
medium
-
It's roots are
non-aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Needs modest water
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on same the tree
-
Birds?
None
-
Screening value?
None
inconspicuous
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
browse leaves
Gardening ideas
Suitable for planting in a small garden as "something different". The tree's velvety leaves is really unique. Combretum molle bears attractive seeds.
More information?
Arid garden | Picture taken from Rooiberg in the Richtersveld. | View on the Orange River
Commiphora gracilifrondosa
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English name is
Stink corkwood
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Afrikaans name is
-
.
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It will grow in soil type:
-
Mature size?
-
Plant in container?
-
It's leaf growth is
-
It's growth rate is
-
It's roots are
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It's drought tolerance?
-
Sexes?
-
Birds?
-
Screening value?
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
Gardening ideas
More information?
Red alder | Striking leaves and flowers | Oubaai Golf Estate
Cunonia capensis
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English name is
Red alder
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Afrikaans name is
Rooiels
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.
It is mildly sensitive ( min. temperature is -0.5C)
-
It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, compost rich
-
Mature size?
Medium: 10m high; 6m crown
-
Plant in container?
No
-
It's leaf growth is
evergreen
-
It's growth rate is
fast
-
It's roots are
slightly aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Needs much water
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on same the tree
-
Birds?
Insect feeders
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Screening value?
up to 10m
showy flowers
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
no value
Gardening ideas
Suitable as focal point in a small garden. Cunonia capensis can be used for screening up to 10m in a large garden.
More information?
Cussonia panuculata sinuata | Mountain cabbage tree | Bergkiepersol |Its digitate leaves and corky bark makes this tree unique. Its thick, swollen roots are very aggressive. Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve
Cussonia paniculata sinuata
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English name is
Mountain cabbage-tree, Highveld cabbage-tree
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Afrikaans name is
Bergkiepersol
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.
It is very hardy (min.temperature is -6C)
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It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, sandy or rocky
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Mature size?
Small: 5m high; 3m crown
-
Plant in container?
Yes
-
It's leaf growth is
semi-deciiduous
-
It's growth rate is
slow
-
It's roots are
very aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Drought tolerant
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on the same tree
-
Birds?
Fruit eaters
-
Screening value?
None
showy flowers
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
no value
Gardening ideas
Suitable for a small garden if planted at least 10m from any paved areas. Highveld cabbage tree makes a striking focal point. It flowers perhaps once in 3-5 years attracting a hive of insects. Birds love its fruit. It is very water wise and will thrive with rain only. The species is prone to root rot. Do not plant it within the range of any irrigation systems. It grows well in a large, well-drained pot. Use this method if you have a very small garden.
More information?