Tiliaceae - Linden family
SA Tree no 458
These trees or shrubs are often seen in groups along the edges of roads, river banks and dry rivers, growing in large uniform groups.
They are multi-stemmed and densely branched, forming a very irregular leafy canopy, and grow 2 - 5 m. The leaves are broad and hairy, the leaf tips being rounded or pointed, which helps with specific identification. They have yellow, star-like flowers. The fruit is berry-like and hard. The bark is dark grey, deeply fissured and peeling away in strips in old specimens.
Links with animals - The fruit of bushes are eaten by birds, especially hornbills, and also by baboon and monkey.
Human uses - The fruit is edible, the wood used for sticks and knobkieries and young branchlets are used to weave baskets.
Gardening - These small shrubs as re not really attractive or neat enough to be used in gardens.
Leaves - Simple and alternate, the form variable but the under-surface is always distinctly lighter and covered with velvety-grey hairs. The edges are smooth or slightly toothed. Leaf tips are round; leaves are held horizontally or drooping. (10 -32 x 15 - 70 mm)
Flowers - Yellow, star-like flowers are borne in the base of the leaves, October to December. (20 mm)
Fruit - Yellow, star-like fruit is hard and is normally one to two-lobed. It is reddish-brown when mature, December to April. (Each lobe 6 mm)
Stems - Square and fluted, especially the mature branches which have four distinct angles.
Best places to see the White Raisin Bush in Southern Africa:
The White Raisin Bush 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, Riverine Communities, Lebombo Mountain Bushveld, Olifants Rugged Veld, Stunted Knob Thorn Savannah, Mopane Scrubveld, 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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