Simaroubacaea - Tree-Of-Heaven family
SA Tree no 269
This tree is found in granite and dolomite landscapes in mountainous areas. It may grow in fairly large stands on the northern slopes of the mountains. It is a small tree, growing up to 8 - 10 m in height.
Brilliant autumn colours make this tree easy to identify during April and May. It is a multi-stemmed tree with an irregular, spreading canopy of green, feathery foliage growing on rocky terrain. The branches tend to be curved downwards and are marked with old leaf scars, and branchlets and twigs end bluntly. Slender compound leaves have small, tightly arranged leaflets that are clustered at the tips of the upward-growing twigs. The bark is grey and smooth, and often obscured by hanging branches.
Links with animals - Browsing animals seldom use this tree, but it is favoured by elephants.
Human uses - The bark, young shoots and roots provide a good, strong fibre, suitable for plaiting. The roots are swollen with water that can be used for drinking during dry periods.
Gardening - This can be a very attractive shade tree for the garden. It needs well-drained soil, and will grow easily from seed sown in spring or from hard wood cuttings in summer. It responds well to cultivation and will withstand frost once it is established.
Leaves - Compound, with 10 - 20 pairs of opposite leaflets, and a terminal leaflet at the tip. They are alternate and clustered at the ends of the branches. Leaflets small and elliptic with a tapering point and a round base. The margin is closely toothed. The leaves produce brilliant autumn colours. (Leaf: 150 x 50 mm; leaflet: 15 x 30 mm)
Flowers - Small, inconspicuous, yellow-green flowers, with rather compact heads, or panicles 40 to 70 mm long, are borne in sprays at the end of the twigs, and flower from September to December. The flower stalks are reddish-brown in colour. (Spray: 70 - 220 mm)
Fruit - The fruit capsules are small capsules, narrowly oval, up to 12 x 5 mm, woody and brown when mature, and split into four capsules that remain joined at the apex. Ripe from February to March, they are still present on the tree until July.
Best places to see the Mountain Seringa in Southern Africa:
The Mountain Seringa is found in the Kruger National Park in the Pretoriuskop Sourveld & Malelane Mountain Bushveld 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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