Lydenburgia abbottii

Lydenburgia abbottii

Common Names

Pondo Bushman’s Tea (english)pondoboesmanstee (afrikaans)

Taxonomy

Family CELASTRACEAE
Genus Lydenburgia
Species abbottii
SA Plant Number 407
Basionym Lydenburgia abbottii

Description

Lydenburgia abbottii is a hardy, evergreen, newly described, rare tree. It is in fact one of the rarest trees in South Africa, with only two known populations, less than 10km from one another, in forested ravines. Its most striking feature is its beautiful glossy leaves that are bright red when young. It has attractive smooth bark that flakes off in irregular patches to reveal orange-coloured new bark underneath. Although this tree grows big in its natural forest conditions, it seems to be a lot smaller when in sun and in cultivation. It bears small, sweetly scented white flowers in large sprays in winter and spring.

As it is newly discovered, little is known about it in cultivation, but in my limited experience it grows in sun or shade and makes a beautiful container plant, although quite slow growing.

Size 4 to 13m

Wildlife

Fruit for birds: Birds relish the fruit. Fruit is however not abundant, as the flowersa are attacked by a gall-forming insect.

Plants for Pollinators: Many insects visit the scented flowers for pollen and nectar.

Uses

Horticultural: Wonderful container plant for sun or shade areas.

Distribution

Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal

Natural Habitat In riverine forest on Msikaba Formation sandstone, in ravines.

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