Indigenous Southern African trees: Search TreeBook's trees by name
Scientific name starts with
English name starts with
Afrikaanse naam begin met

Pompon-tree | One of our smaller trees | George airport
Dais cotinifolia
-
English name is
Pompon-tree
-
Afrikaans name is
Kannabas
-
.
It is hardy -survives a min. temperature of -2C
-
It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, compost rich
-
Mature size?
Small: 5m high; 4m crown
-
Plant in container?
No
-
It's leaf growth is
evergreen
-
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?
None
showy flowers in profusion
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
no value
Gardening ideas
Suitable for a small garden. Dais cotinifolia does not like pruning. It needs much TLC if planted in a pot.
More information?

Dichrostachys cinerea | Sickle-bush | Sekelbos | Single tree focal point with striking flowers or an impenetrable security fence. | Burkea africana Conservancy, Pretoria.
Dichrostachys cinerea
-
English name is
Sickle-bush
-
Afrikaans name is
Sekelbos
-
.
It is hardy (min. temperature -2C)
-
It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, sandy
-
Mature size?
Small: 5m high; 5m crown
-
Plant in container?
No
-
It's leaf growth is
deciduous
-
It's growth rate is
medium
-
It's roots are
aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Drought tolerant
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on the same tree
-
Birds?
None
-
Screening value?
up to 5m
showy flowers
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
browse leaves
Gardening ideas
Suitable for a large garden. Plant it as a focal point for its multi-stem growth form and stunning flowers. Sickle-bush is a good candidate for planting along a vulnerable fence as an impenetrable, spiky thicket, serving as a security screen. It has an aggressive root system. Watch out and control proliferation if you plant it as a focal point. Once in 5 years should suffice.
More information?

Diospyros lycioides | Bluebush | Bloubos | A tough, hardy shrub-like tree which occurs almost throughout South Africa | Leeuwfontein Estates, Pretoria
Diospyros lycioides
-
English name is
Bluebush, Star-apple
-
Afrikaans name is
Bloubos
-
.
It is very hardy (min. temperature -6C
-
It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, sandy
-
Mature size?
Small: 4m high; 3m crown
-
Plant in container?
No
-
It's leaf growth is
semi-deciduous
-
It's growth rate is
medium
-
It's roots are
slightly aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Drought tolerant
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on the same tree
-
Birds?
Fruit eaters
-
Screening value?
up to 5m
inconspicuous
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
browse leaves
Gardening ideas
Suitable for a small garden as a screening tree or to create a bush veld look and feel. Plant it for its red fruit, which will attract fruit eating birds, and sweetly scented flowers, which will attract insects and bees. It is a no-nonsense, easy grower that tolerates almost all soil types.
More information?

Diospyros whyteana | Bladder-nut | The dark green, shiny leaves, combined with its bladder-like fruit, makes this tree a must for the very small garden
Diospyros whyteana
-
English name is
Bladder-nut
-
Afrikaans name is
Swartbas
-
.
It is hardy -survives a min. temperature of -2C
-
It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, sandy
-
Mature size?
Small: 2m high; 2m crown
-
Plant in container?
Yes
-
It's leaf growth is
evergreen
-
It's growth rate is
medium
-
It's roots are
non-aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Needs modest water
-
Sexes?
Separate male and female trees
-
Birds?
None
-
Screening value?
up to 2m
inconspicuous
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
browse leaves
Gardening ideas
Suitable for a very small garden. Use Diospyros whyteana shiny, bright green leaves to provide a color contrast in the garden. It can serve as a focal point or screen up to 2m high
More information?

Wild pear | profusion of white flowers in early spring | North-east of Pretoria
Dombeya rotundifolia
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English name is
Wild pear
-
Afrikaans name is
Blompeer
-
.
It is hardy -survives a min. temperature of -2C
-
It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, sandy
-
Mature size?
Small: 8m high; 4 crown
-
Plant in container?
No
-
It's leaf growth is
deciduous
-
It's growth rate is
medium
-
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
flowers inprofusion
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
browse leaves
Gardening ideas
Suitable for a small garden. Dombeya rotundifolia responds well to pruning. It flowers profusely in early spring before leaf budding.
More information?

Dracaena mannii | Small-leaved dragon tree | A tree with a striking form, extraordinary leaves, showy flowers and bright orange fruit | North-east Pretoria
Dracaena mannii
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English name is
Small-leaved dragon tree
-
Afrikaans name is
Kleinblaardrakeboom
-
.
It is mildly sensitive ( min. temperature is -0.5C)
-
It will grow in soil type:
clay soil
-
Mature size?
Small: 5m high; 4m crown
-
Plant in container?
Yes
-
It's leaf growth is
evergreen
-
It's growth rate is
medium
-
It's roots are
slightly aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Needs modest water
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on same the tree
-
Birds?
Fruit eaters
-
Screening value?
up to 5m
showy flowers
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
no value
Gardening ideas
Small-leaved dragon tree is recommended for a small garden. Plant it in a large pot if you have a very small garden. This tree makes for a handsome display. It is something out of the ordinary
More information?

Englerophytum magalismontanum | Transvaal milkplum | Stamvrug | Attractive leaves and interesting fruit. Something quite different | Bateleur Nature Reserve
Englerophytum magalismontanum
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English name is
Transvaal milkplum
-
Afrikaans name is
Stamvrug
-
.
It is hardy - survives a minimum temperature of -2C
-
It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, sandy or rocky
-
Mature size?
Small: 2.5m high, 2m crown
-
Plant in container?
Yes
-
It's leaf growth is
evergreen
-
It's growth rate is
medium
-
It's roots are
non-aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
needs modest water
-
Sexes?
Separate male and female trees
-
Birds?
Fruit eaters
-
Screening value?
None
inconspicuous
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
no value
Gardening ideas
Transvaal milkplum is an ideal tree for a small or even very small garden. Plant it for its edible fruit and rust-brown new leaves which change to glossy, dark-green later on. It is a decorative tree which will stand out in your garden.
More information?

Coast coral tree | Focal point in a large garden | Oubaai Golf Estate
Erythrina caffra
-
English name is
Coast coral tree
-
Afrikaans name is
Kuskoraalboom
-
.
It is mildly sensitive ( min. temperature is -0.5C)
-
It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, compost rich
-
Mature size?
Large: 10m+ high; 10m crown
-
Plant in container?
Yes
-
It's leaf growth is
deciduous
-
It's growth rate is
fast
-
It's roots are
very aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Needs modest water
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on same the tree
-
Birds?
Nectar feeders
-
Screening value?
None
showy flowers in profusion
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
no value
Gardening ideas
Erythrina caffra is suitable for a small garden if planted in a large pot. It has very aggressive roots.
More information?

Erythrina humeana | Dwarf coral tree | Ideal for planting in a very small garden | Leeuwfontein Estates, Pretoria
Erythrina humeana
-
English name is
Dwarf coral tree
-
Afrikaans name is
Kleinkoraalboom
-
.
It is hardy -survives a min. temperature of -2C
-
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
medium
-
It's roots are
slightly aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Needs modest water
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on same the tree
-
Birds?
Nectar feeders
-
Screening value?
None
showy flowers
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
no value
Gardening ideas
Suitable for a very small garden. Plant Dwarf coral tree for its beautiful, large, red flowers, which will attract nectar feeding birds.
More information?

Blue guarri | evergreen tree for screening | Leeuwfontein Estates, Pretoria
Euclea crispa
-
English name is
Blue guarri
-
Afrikaans name is
Bloughwarrie
-
.
It is very hardy (min. temperature is -6C)
-
It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, sandy
-
Mature size?
Small: 3m high; 4m crown
-
Plant in container?
No
-
It's leaf growth is
evergreen
-
It's growth rate is
medium
-
It's roots are
non-aggressive
-
It's drought tolerance?
Drought tolerant
-
Sexes?
Bisexual flower on same the tree
-
Birds?
Fruit eaters
-
Screening value?
up to 2m
inconspicuous
-
Flowers?
-
Value to game?
browse leaves
Gardening ideas
Euclea crispa is suitable for a small garden as screen or focal point. Birds love its fruit.
More information?