Loganiaceae - Wild Elder family
SA Tree no 635
This is a moderately dense, pale-green, extremely finely leaved tree, only growing right on the edges of river beds. Leaves are thin, elliptic and long, and tend to stand upright, while the branches form downward curves. The old bark is dark and deeply fissured lengthways. The tree grows to a height of 2 - 8 m, with a moderate density.
Links with animals - Leaves are eaten by kudu, bushbuck and elephant. Black rhino eat the bark and leaves.
Human uses - The wood is attractive and occasionally used to make furniture.
Gardening - It would have to grow very near to permanent water and it would be a slow grower.
Leaves - Simple, opposite, thin, long and narrowly elliptic .Margin entire, or with shallow, blunt teeth. Base narrowly tapering and running into the petiole. They are narrow at the base and rounded at the tip, slightly closed, light green and glossy above while being dull below. Young leaves are covered by minute hairs and are slightly sticky. The veins are prominent and stand out underneath; the top third of the margin is toothed and wavy. (80 100 mm)
Flowers - Inconspicuous, white, trumpet-shaped flowers are borne in sprays at the end of the branches, from October to January.
Fruit - Small inconspicuous fruit capsules, scarcely protruding beyond the remains of the persistent calyx, turn brown when ripe and stay on the tree for long periods, from January to May. (5 mm)
Best places to see the Water Elder in Southern Africa:
The Water Elder is found in the Kruger National Park in the Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets, Riverine Communities & Alluvial Plains 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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