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Arbor Week 2002
Trees of the Year
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Cheesewood
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National Tree
Number:
Botanical name: Pittosporum
viridiflorum
Other names: Kasuur (Afrikaans),
umVusamvu (Zulu)
Description:
The bark is pale brown to greyish with distinctive white
dots (lenticels). The leaves are usually wider above the
middle, dark green and glossy. Small, greenish-white,
sweetly fragant flowers are produced in early summer
(November to December). They are followed by small,
yellow-brown seed capsules. This plant is very showy
when the capsules split open to release numerous small,
shiny, orange-red seeds, which are covered in a sticky,
resinous exudate.
It varies in size from a shrub of
about 4m in height to a large forest tree of up to 30m.1)
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(photograph:
Plantzafica.com) |
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General:
The name is derived from "Pitta" = pitch and "sporum" =
seed (referring to the sticky seeds); and viridiflorum =
with green flowers.
Uses:
Many birds, including the red-eyed dove and several
starlings eat the seeds. Goats and game (Kudu, Nyala,
and Bushbuck) browse the leaves. The stem bark, which
has a bitter taste and strong resinous or liquorice
smell, is used medicinally. Decoctions or infusions are
widely used to treat stomach complaints, abdominal pain
and fever. It is said to ease pain and have a calming
effect. Dried, powdered root or bark is sometimes added
to beer as an aphrodisiac.
The wood is reportedly little used -
being soft and white, which may account for the common
name - cheesewood. However, Venter& Venter (1996) state
that it is used for kitchen furniture and shelving.1) |
Distribution:
It is widely distributed in the eastern half of South
Africa, occuring from the Western Cape up into tropical
Africa.1)
Cultivation:
Cheesewood propagates easily from seed. Unparasitised
seed has a germination percentage of 80-90%. Seeds
germinate in 8-12 weeks Plants may also be propagated by
means of softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings.
1) |
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Natal Flame
Bush |
National Tree Number:
Botanical name: Alberta magna
Other names: Breekhout
Description:
It grows slowly and seldom exceeds 10 m in height. With
its dark green, shiny foliage, this evergreen tree is
striking wherever it grows, showing up best as an
isolated specimen tree.
Clusters of tubular, scarlet flowers,
25 mm long, bloom in early spring, making the tree
spectacular. The sepals, which are now red, remain after
the flowers themselves have fallen, and the tree is very
decorative for many weeks.2)
Uses:
Insect repellent. |
(photograph:
Museums Online SA) |
General:
A beautiful indigenous tree that deserves to be planted
in greater numbers. For the very large garden. A special
appeal to farmers to grow them on their land or small
holdings. |
Distribution:
It grows wild in the eastern part of our country,
Kwazulu-Natal and Transkei.2)
Cultivation: It will flower
sooner and grow quicker if planted correctly in fertile
soil in a large 1 m hole. Suited to coastal or hot areas
where the air is never too dry and without heavy frost.2)
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Sources:
1.
Plantzafrica.com
2.
Food and Trees for All |
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Related information:
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Trees of the Year 2001 - 2015
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Information on SA plants |
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Last modified: 16 September 2004 10:46:51. |
