Ebenaceae - Ebony family
SA Tree no 595
This tree is mostly found in brackish flats and also in alluvial soils along river courses. They will generally be found growing in pockets among other tree species. It occurs in thorn scrub, on hillsides and in woodland.
This is a shrub or small tree, 4 - 6 m, and bare, grey stems and branches grow upwards, carrying an evergreen, dense, rounded canopy. The leaves have a shiny, grey-green surface, with a lighter under- surface. The stems are covered by smooth bark in younger trees, and coarse, blocky bark in older trees.
Links with animals - The fruit is eaten by birds such as hornbills. Black rhino eat the bark, and during drought the leaves are browsed by rhino, giraffe, grey duiker, kudu and impala.
Human uses - The fruit is used as a purgative, broken off branches are used to fight veld fires, and the frayed ends of the twigs are used as tooth-brushes. The wood, which is dark brown, hard and close-grained is used to make small pieces of furniture and implements.
Gardening - While the tree is unattractive in the veld, it can be used effectively in the garden, and as wind-breaks in drier areas. It is fairly drought- and frost resistant. It can easily grow from seeds, but does not transplant easily. It is slow growing and prefers brackish soil.
Leaves - Simple, sub-opposite, opposite, rarely alternate, elliptic with a smooth, very wavy margin, leathery. Apex rounded; base tapering; petiole up to 5 mm long The leaf form is distinctive from other Eucleas. (105 x 25 mm)
Flowers - Inconspicuous, creamy flowers in short dense branched axillary heads, frequently almost spherical, with 2 or 3 heads per leaf axil; the flower stalks are dotted with rusty-brown granules, and from the base of the stalks arise two deciduous brackets, oblong and curved. They appear from August to September. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. (3 - 5 mm)
Fruit - Small, round bunches of berries turn purple when ripe, from October to March. (6 mm)
Best places to see the Magic Guarri in Southern Africa:
The Magic Guarri is found in the Kruger National Park in the Mixed Bushwillow Woodlands, Pretoriuskop Sourveld, Malelane Mountain Bushveld, Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets, Knob Thorn / Marula Savannah, Delagoa Thorn Thickets, Alluvial Plains, Tree Mopane Savannah & Mopane / Bushwillow Woodlands 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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