Indigenous Nursery News Blog

I am constantly reminded of how lucky we are to live in this amazing country we call South Africa.  It is so rich in biodiversity and promise.

The indigenous trees, too, reflect this richness, and evoke the spirit of the place that their species originated from.  For instance, when I look at the Acacia species, they are the quintessential African Savannah trees.

South Africa has some 1700 indigenous tree species, and each year 2 species are chosen as the tree of the year. 

This Arbor Week we tell you a bit more about the Trees of the Year for 2015. They are the Forest Bushwillow (Combretum kraussii) and the Parsley Tree (Heteromorpha arborescens).

Combretum krausii - Forest Bushwillow (E); Bosvaderslandwilg (A); umdubuwehlathi (Z); modubu (S)

Hardy, fast growing, semi-deciduous tree with glossy dark green leaves that turn vivid red and purple in autumn.  It retains these colours for most of the winter.  In spring when the new leaves flush, they are often white, making this a gorgeous foliage plant.  

It flowers from Aug. to Nov. with small, white, sweetly scented puffball flowers that attract both birds and insects to the garden.  Four-winged pink to red fruits follow the flowers.  This tree has lovely whitish bark and is one of our most decorative trees.  Plant in sun or semi-shade.  Traditionally the branches are used to weave baskets.

S.A. No. 540 Distribution: Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal,  E. Cape

Natural Habitat: Evergreen forest and forest margins

Heteromorpha trifoliata (= Heteromorpha arborescens)- Common Parsley Tree (E); Gewone Pietersielieboom (A); muthatha-vhanna (V); serethe (Tsw); umbangandlala (Z)

Slender, very hardy, deciduous, drought resistant, fast growing tree.  An attractive feature of this tree is its glossy, waxy, coppery coloured, peeling bark.  The grey-green leaves which turn yellow and red in autumn smell of parsley when crushed, hence the common name.

The graceful heads of small, yellowish flowers are borne from Jan. to April and attract many insects which in turn attract birds.  All parts of the tree are aromatic.  Ideal tree for a small garden, especially to attract birds and other wildlife.  This tree is considered to bring good luck and is used for a variety of medicinal and magical purposes.

Distribution: Limpopo, N. West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal,  Free State, N. Cape, E. Cape, W. Cape Natural

Habitat: Forest margins, wooded ravines, hillsides and rocky outcrops