Celastraceae - Spike-Thorn family
SA Tree no 416
Found more commonly in brackish flats. This tree grows best at medium to low altitudes in open woodland, along streams and on termite mounds.
The tree is densely branched, untidy, and has a roundish canopy. It is small to medium, 4 - 6 m but can grow up to 10 m. The long, thin, arching and drooping light grey branchlets clearly show between the leaves. The bark of the younger trees and branches is light and fairly smooth, with darker, rougher patches on the older branches and stems, and on older trees. The leaves are light green and are arranged in groups on very short twigs coming off the branches at right angles.
Links with animals - The fruit is eaten by birds, while the leaves and young shoots are eaten by elephant, giraffe, kudu and impala.
Human uses - The wood is used for household utensils, spoons, pipes and cattle troughs, The bark is used for tanning and to make tea. It is said to be an excellent treatment for stomach problems.
Gardening - This decorative tree will grow in most gardens, It is difficult to grow from seed, is slow-growing and sensitive to frost.
Leaves - Simple, narrow linear to narrowly elliptic, may be alternate but typically arranged groups on very short twigs coming off the branchlets at right angles. The leaves are a glossy, deep blue-green colour, (apple green to dull grey-green???)and are leathery. Conspicuous net-veining on both surfaces; tapering to apex and base; petiole short and slender. The margin is smooth or slightly toothed. (20 - 70- x 10 - 30 mm)
Flowers - The inconspicuous, very small, greenish-yellow three-petalled flowers are borne in clusters between the leaves, from November to December.
Fruit - The berry-like, broadly tapering, fruits are borne in bunches on the ends of side branches, or on long whip-like twigs. They are smooth and yellow when ripe and turn brown at a later stage, July to September. (20 x 16 mm)
Best places to see the Transvaal Saffron in Southern Africa:
The Transvaal Saffron is found in the Kruger National Park in the Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets & Thorn Veld ecozones.
 Tree species of Southern Africa >> Printable Tree List <<
South African Trees >> Printable Tree List <<
The Plant Kingdom (Plantae)
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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