Cassipourea malosana (Baker) Alston

onionwood

Afr

uiehout

isiZulu

umhlwakela, umgamakhulu

IsiXhosa

Description

Family:

Rhizophoraceae

Order:

Malpighiales

Description

Small to medium evergreen tree (up to 15 m), with a dense, rounded crown and smooth, grey bark. Leaves are simple, alternate, elliptic to oblong, dark green and glossy above, paler below, with entire or slightly toothed margins. Small, white, fragrant flowers in axillary clusters (spring – summer), followed by small, red to black berries. Visually attractive for its glossy foliage and fruit. Important shade and understorey tree in forests and moist woodlands.

Plant Details

Height

5 - 15 m

Thorns

Absent

Soil

Moist, well-drained, loamy or sandy soils

Moderate

Growth Rate

5 - 15 m

Size

Not available

Lifespan

Flower Colour

Flowering Season

,

Horticultural Zones

Not available

pH

Moist, well-drained, loamy or sandy soils

Soil

Semi-shade to shade; forest understorey, forest edge

Aspect

Low

Frost Tolerance

Low to moderate

Drought Resistance

Companion Plants

Other forest understorey trees and shrubs (e.g., Celtis africana, Trichilia dregeana, Vepris lanceolata)

Caterpillars

Not available

Associations

Descriptions

Insects:Flowers attract bees and other pollinators.
Wildlife:Fruits eaten by birds and small mammals.
Soil:Not a nitrogen fixer.
Ecosystem Services:Shade, habitat for forest fauna, soil stabilization.

Flowers and fruits

Small, white, fragrant flowers attract insects. Berries are eaten by birds and small mammals; seeds dispersed by animals.

Birds

Fruits are a food source for fruit-eating birds; dense foliage offers shelter.

By Seeds:

Collect ripe berries, remove pulp, sow fresh in moist, shady conditions; germination in 3 – 6 weeks.

By Cuttings:

Not available

Traditional Uses

Used in traditional medicine for fever, stomach ailments, and as a protective charm. Wood sometimes used for small implements.

Plant Details

Height

Description

Thorns

Description

Leaves

Description

Size

Growth Form

Size

Size

Size

Lifespan

Size

Flower Colour

Size

Flowering Season

Size

Horticultural Zones

Size

pH

Size

Soil

Size

Aspect

Size

Frost Tolerance

Size

Drought Resistance

Description

DESCRIPTION

Height

DESCRIPTION

Leaves

DESCRIPTION

Thorns

DESCRIPTION

BSS

Ecoscore

Host plant Nectar Grazing

Link to PlantzAfrica.co.za

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Distribution

Companion Plants

Description

Caterpillars

Associations

Leaves

Leaves

Flowers and fruits

Leaves

Birds

Leaves

Mammals

Leaves

By Seeds:

Leaves

By Cuttings:

Leaves

Traditional Uses

traditional uses