Combretaceae - Bushwillow family
SA Tree no 550
The Lowveld Cluster-Leaf - (Purple Pod Terminalia) is found in South Africa's Lowveld. It grows in clay soils and on stony slopes. It is a small to medium size, with a height of 3 - 7 m.
The eye-catching purple pods are present for most of the summer, autumn and winter, and are the main aid to identification. During spring and summer, the flowers of this tree have a pungent smell. The tree has a drooping, spiky appearance, owing to the downward-curving branchlets, irregular branching and side branches that end in spines. The clustered leaf arrangement is characteristic of this tree.
Links with animals - The hard green seeds are eaten by brownheaded parrots, baboon and monkey. Young shoots and leaves are eaten by elephant, giraffe, kudu and impala.
Human uses - The hard wood is used in the building of huts, also for making axe and pick handles and for fuel.
Gardening - This is a very attractive tree when covered in plum covered seeds, but the strong smell of the flowers may be overwhelming in a small garden. It also has a tendency to shrubby growth. It will grow in most soils, and, while being fairly drought resistant, is sensitive to frost. It grows medium- fast from seed, when well watered, but healthy, viable seed is difficult to find.
Leaves - simple, arranged spirally in clusters around the ends of the branchlets. The leaves are almost heart-shaped, and have smooth margins. Their colour is a dull, dark green. (35 x 15 mm)
Flowers - The pungent, white cylindrical flowers are widely spaced in spikes at the ends of the short branchlets, They often cover the whole tree from September to February. (Single flower: 4mm; spike: 65 x 20 mm)
Pods - The oval, flat, two-winged pods are thickened over a central seed. They turn purple to wine-red when ripe (from February) , and remain hanging in bunches well into winter. (40 x 30 mm)
Best places to see the Lowveld Cluster-Leaf - (Purple Pod Terminalia) in Southern Africa:
The Lowveld Cluster-Leaf - (Purple Pod Terminalia) is found in the Kruger National Park in the Malelane Mountain Bushveld, Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets, Olifants Rugged Veld, Mopane Scrubveld & 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
<<< Back to previous page <<<
|
