top of page

Indigenous Southern African trees: Search TreeBook's trees by name

Scientific name starts with

English name starts with

Afrikaanse naam begin met

pterocarpus rotundifolius | Round-leaved teak | Striking yellow flowers in profusion.

Pterocarpus rotundifolius | Round-leaved teak | A profusely flowering, semi-deciduous, drought tolerant tree.| North-east Pretoria

Pterocarpus rotundifolius

  • English name is

Round-leaved bloodwood

  • Afrikaans name is

Dopperkiaat

  • .

It is mildly sensitive ( min. temperature is -0.5C)

  • It will grow in soil type:

well-drained, sandy

  • Mature size?

Small: 8m high; 8m 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?

Drought tollerant

  • Sexes?

Bisexual flower on same the tree

  • Birds?

None

  • Screening value?

None

flowers in profusion

  • Flowers?

  • Value to game?

browse leaves

Gardening ideas

Suitable for a small garden. Pterocarpus rotundifolius bears bright yellow flowers in profusion. It attracts many insects.

More information? 

Rapanea melanophloeos  | Cape beech | Kaapse boekenhout | evergreen tree, growing at a medium rate

Rapanea melanophloeos | Cape-beech | Kaapse boekenhout | A neat, upright, evergreen tree. | Oubaai Golf Estate

Rapanea melanophloeos

  • English name is

Cape-beech

  • Afrikaans name is

Kaapse boekenhout

  • .

It is hardy (min. temperature -2C )

  • 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

evergreen

  • It's growth rate is

medium

  • It's roots are

slightly aggressive

  • It's drought tolerance?

Requires modest water

  • Sexes?

Bisexual flower on the same tree

  • Birds?

Fruit eaters

  • Screening value?

up to 10m

inconspicuous

  • Flowers?

  • Value to game?

no value

Gardening ideas

Suitable for a small garden. Plant it as a focal point and shade tree. Cape beech's up-right growth form has a somewhat formal look and will compliment a formal garden design. It is a no-nonsense, hardy tree. The species has a tendency to sprout from root suckers which must be controlled, but is otherwise low maintenance.

More information? 

Rauvolfia caffra | Quinine tree | Kinnaboom | Frost sensitive garden tree

Rauvolfia caffra | Quinine tree | Kinaboom | Semi-deciduous shade tree, Nature's Valley

Rauvolfia caffra

  • English name is

Quinine tree

  • Afrikaans name is

Kinaboom

  • .

It is mildly sensitive ( min. temperature is -0.5C)

  • It will grow in soil type:

clay soil

  • Mature size?

Large: 15m high, 12m crown

  • Plant in container?

No

  • It's leaf growth is

evergreen

  • It's growth rate is

fast

  • It's roots are

aggressive

  • It's drought tolerance?

Needs much water

  • Sexes?

Bisexual flower on same the tree

  • Birds?

Fruit eaters

  • Screening value?

None

inconspicuous

  • Flowers?

  • Value to game?

browse leaves

Gardening ideas

Suitable for a large garden. Rauvolfia caffra has large glossy leaves and will provide dense shade. It grows well in clay soil.

More information? 

Rothmannia capensis | Wild gardenia | Valskatjiepiering | Striking flowers and fruit

Rothmannia capensis | Wild gardinia | Valskatjiepiering | Dark green leaves and striking, sweet scented flowers lasting only two days. Large fruit stays on the tree for a long time. Bataleur Nature Reserve

Rothmannia capensis

  • English name is

Wild gardenia

  • Afrikaans name is

Valskatjiepiering

  • .

It is hardy (min. temperature is -2C)

  • It will grow in soil type:

well-drained sandy or rocky

  • Mature size?

Medium 10m high; 6m crown

  • Plant in container?

Yes

  • It's leaf growth is

evergreen

  • It's growth rate is

slow

  • It's roots are

non-aggressive

  • It's drought tolerance?

Needs modest water

  • Sexes?

Bisexual flower on the same tree

  • Birds?

None

  • Screening value?

None

showy flowers

  • Flowers?

  • Value to game?

no value

Gardening ideas

This slow growing tree is a collectors item. Its up-right growth form and dark-green leaves will draw immediate attention. Combine this with its short-lived, sweet scented flowers and large fruit, and you will agree that this tree adds something different and unique to your garden. It grows well in a large pot, but will need regular feeding to maintain the leaves' dark-green color. Use this method to enjoy Wild gardenia in a very small garden.

More information? 

Please fill out the contact form on our Home page

Schotia brachypetala

  • English name is

Weeping boer-bean

  • Afrikaans name is

Huilboerboon

  • .

It is hardy -survives a min. temperature of -2C

  • It will grow in soil type:

well-drained, sandy

  • Mature size?

Medium: 10m high; 8m crown

  • Plant in container?

Yes

  • It's leaf growth is

semi-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?

browse leaves

Gardening ideas

Suitable for a large garden. Scotia brachypetala bears striking red flower and is an ideal shade tree.

More information? 

Searsia chirindensis | Red currant | Bostaaibos | beautiful  red-colored fruit

Searsia chirindensis | Red currant | Bostaaibos | Fast growing shade tree | George airport

Searsia chirindensis

  • English name is

Red currant

  • Afrikaans name is

Bostaaibos

  • .

It is mildly sensitive ( min. temperature is -0.5C)

  • It will grow in soil type:

well-drained, sandy

  • Mature size?

Medium: 10m high; 10m crown

  • Plant in container?

No

  • It's leaf growth is

semi-deciduous

  • It's growth rate is

fast

  • It's roots are

slightly 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?

browse leaves

Gardening ideas

Suitable for a large garden. Searsia chirindensis is fast growing and will soon provide shade. It can be messy during leaf shedding, but leaves are large and easy to tidy up. Leaves make excellent compost.. Leave them in lying in your flower beds.

More information? 

Searsia lancea | Karee | Rooikaree | The species tolerates severe frost

Searsia karee | Karee | Swartkaree, Rooikaree | A very hardy, dependable, evergreen tree | Leeuwfontein Estates

Searsia lancea

  • English name is

Karee

  • Afrikaans name is

Rooikaree, Swartkaree

  • .

It is very hardy -survives a min. temperature of -6C

  • It will grow in soil type:

clay soil

  • Mature size?

Medium: 8m high, 8m crown

  • Plant in container?

No

  • It's leaf growth is

evergreen

  • It's growth rate is

medium

  • It's roots are

slightly aggressive

  • It's drought tolerance?

Drought tolerant

  • Sexes?

Separate male and female trees

  • Birds?

Fruit eaters

  • Screening value?

None

inconspicuous

  • Flowers?

  • Value to game?

browse leaves

Gardening ideas

Suitable for a small garden. Karee is one of only a few evergreen trees which tolerates severe frost. It has a spreading growth form and needs occasional pruning to form a canopy at height. Its black, rough trunk and branches are characteristic of the species and makes for a striking presentation in the garden. It is an easy grower, but can be messy at times.

More information? 

Searsia leptodictya | Mountain karee | Semi-deciduous tree, ideal screening tree in a small garden

Searsia leptodictya | Mountain karee | Small to medium size semi-deciduous tree, ideal for screening. Growth form is typical for the species in the wild. North-east Pretoria

Searsia leptodictya

  • English name is

Mountain karee

  • Afrikaans name is

Bergkaree

  • .

It is hardy -survives a min. temperature of -2C

  • It will grow in soil type:

well-drained, sandy

  • Mature size?

Small: 3m high; 3m crow

  • Plant in container?

Yes

  • It's leaf growth is

semi-deciduous

  • It's growth rate is

medium

  • It's roots are

non-aggressive

  • It's drought tolerance?

Drought tolerant

  • Sexes?

Separate male and female trees

  • Birds?

Fruit eaters

  • Screening value?

up to 2m

inconspicuous

  • Flowers?

  • Value to game?

browse leaves

Gardening ideas

Suitable for a small garden as a screening tree. Searsia leptodictya has bright green leaves, forming a dense compact canopy. It grows at a medium rate and is a good candidate for screening. Trim the tree up if you want to raise the canopy. Plant it in a large pot if you have a very small garden

More information? 

Searsia zeyheri | Blue currant | Suitable for a very small garden

Blue currant | Very hardy small tree with striking grey leaves | Leeuwfontein Estates

Searsia zeyheri

  • English name is

Blue currant

  • Afrikaans name is

Bloutaaibos

  • .

It is very hardy (min. temperature is -6C)

  • It will grow in soil type:

well-drained, sandy

  • Mature size?

Small: 2m high; 1m crown

  • Plant in container?

Yes

  • It's leaf growth is

semi-deciduous

  • It's growth rate is

medium

  • It's roots are

average

  • It's drought tolerance?

Needs modest water

  • Sexes?

Separate male and female trees

  • Birds?

Fruit eaters

  • Screening value?

up to 2m

inconspicuous

  • Flowers?

  • Value to game?

browse leaves

Gardening ideas

Searsia zeyheri is suitable for a very small garden. Use it as a focal point or to screen an unsightly wall.

More information? 

Searsia zeyheri
Senegalia galpinii | Monkey thorn | suitable for large gardens and parks

Monkey thorn | Large deciduous tree bearing striking flowers | Leeuwfontein Estates, Pretoria,

Senegalia galpinii

  • English name is

Monkey thorn

  • Afrikaans name is

Apiesdoring

  • .

It is hardy -survives a min. temperature of -2C

  • It will grow in soil type:

well-drained, sandy

  • Mature size?

Very large: 20m high; 20m crown

  • Plant in container?

Yes

  • It's leaf growth is

deciduous

  • It's growth rate is

very fast

  • It's roots are

aggressive

  • It's drought tolerance?

Needs much water

  • Sexes?

Bisexual flower on same the tree

  • Birds?

Nesting

  • Screening value?

None

showy flowers in profusion

  • Flowers?

  • Value to game?

eat fruit

Gardening ideas

Suitable for a very large garden. Senegalia galpinii responds well to pruning and is an excellent candidate to plant in a large pot. This is the way to go if you have a small or even very small garden

More information? 

Contact

+27834422112

Address

233 Fish Eagle Road, Leeuwfontein Estates, Pretoria

©2020  by TreeBook. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page