Sneezewood
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National Tree Number:
292
Botanical name: Ptaeroxylon obliquum (Thunb.) Radlk.
Other names: Nieshout, umThathi (Xhosa)
Description:
Plants are easily identified by opposite leaves, with three to eight pairs of dark green
leaflets, including a terminal pair at the end of the leaf. Leaflets are distinctly
asymmetrical in shape. Flowers are small, sweetly scented, white and produced from August
to December. Male and female flowers occur on different trees. The fruit is an oblong
capsule, notched at the tip and split open to produce winged seeds.
A large tree of up to 20m; variable in habitat, size and colour
(small in low bushveld; large in mistbelt mountain forests; also occurs in coastal and
sand forests).2) |
Click for larger view
(photograph: Pitta Joffe) |
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General:
Ptaeroxylon is a direct Greek translation meaning sneeze and wood; obliquum
refer to the oblique leaflets.A small genus with only one species. Until recently this
and the Madagascar Cedrelopsis were placed in a family of their own, Ptaeroxylaceae, but
DNA sequences and chemical evidence leave little doubt that this belongs to the large
citrus family Rutaceae. Noteworthy, the Common Citrus Swallowtail butterfly Papilio
demodocus is known to visit and breed on this tree. Other indigenous trees in the
family recommended for the garden are the Cape-chestnut, white-ironwood and the small
knobwood.
Uses:
Sneezewood is extremely hard and durable and highly valued as a timber for fence post and
buildings. Little furniture was ever made of it, but with some effort and preparation
beautiful pieces can be made.
Highly irritant aromatic peppery oils, containing nieshoutol are produced, causing
violent sneezing by woodworkers after sawing or sanding.
When used as machine bearings Sneezewood often wears longer than brass or iron. In
Mozambique it is the preferred wood for the manufacture of xylophone keys.
Bark is used as a snuff to relieve headache. Pieces of wood can be placed in cupboards
to repel moths. The resin is used on warts and to kill ticks on cattle.2) |
Distribution:
The distribution of this species extends to tropical Africa.Cultivation:
Seed, if not damaged by insects, is easy to germinate. A moderate to fast grower (0.4 to 1
m per year). It will withstand moderate frost and is very drought-tolerant. |
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Tarwood
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National Tree Number: 365
Botanical name: Loxostylis alata A.Spreng.
Other names: Teerhout, Tierhout, Wild Pepper Tree Description:
Plants are evergreen ornamental trees with a wide range of ecological and cultural
requirements. Up to 5cm in height.2) This tree
closely resembles the Brazilian pepper tree, Schinus terebinthifolius of the same
family, which does not have the characteristic red sepals.
The leaves are alternate and compound with 2 to 5 pairs of leaflets, including a
terminal leaflet. Typical of the species is the conspicuous winged rachis. Young leaves
are red.
The flowers are male or female, on different trees and produced from November to
February. The male flowers are white and the female flowers are green. Sepals of the
female flowers enlarge substantially and turn pink-red, covering the developing fruit.
The bark is light grey, flaking with vertical fissures.2) |
Click for larger view
(photograph: Pitta Joffe) |
General:
The name Loxostylis is derived from the Greek loxos meaning crooked or
oblique, and the Latin stylis for style, in reference to the lateral attachment of
the style to the ovary. The common name tarwood presumably refers to the oily residue from
fruits that has probably been used or compared to the pioneers’ wagon grease. The
genus Loxostylis conatins a single species that occurs in the Eastern Cape and
KwaZulu-Natal only. Other recommended trees in this family are the red currant, wild-plum
and the marula.Uses:
The leaves and bark are used for medicinal purposes. It is good species to
plant in gardens because it is attractive, fast-growing and not too large. 2) |
Distribution:
Occurs on rocky outcrops and cliffs of sandstone and quartzite. It is
also found along forest margins and along river banks. The distribution area is along the
east coast (Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal) adjoining the Karoo. 2)Cultivation:
Seeds germinate easily but often transplant poorly. It is a fast growing tree and will
tolerate mild frost.
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Click for larger view
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Related indigenous trees
Vepris undulata (White-ironwood)
Calodendrum capense (Cape-chestnut)
Zanthoxylum capense (Small knobwood)
Harpephyllum caffrum (Wild-plum)
Rhus chirindensis (Red Currant)
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula)
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Sources:
1. Text and photographs courtesy of Dr Robert Archer (text) and Pitta Joffe (photographs)
and the National Botanical Institute (Main
source)
2. Trees of the Year 2001 (Pamphlet), Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, May 2001 |
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Related information:
- Trees of the Year 2001 - 2015
- Information on SA
plants |
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