Laventelboom
iNkunzi
Small to medium deciduous tree, 4 – 10 m tall, with slender, upright, narrow form and drooping foliage. Bark is pale grey to creamy with apricot-colored patches, flaking in large scales. Leaves are alternate, narrowly elliptic, shiny dark green above, paler below, with a strong lavender scent when crushed. Flowers small (3 mm), yellowish-green, sweetly scented, borne in branched terminal clusters in summer (Dec – Mar). Fruits small, brown oval capsules appearing Mar – May, splitting into valves to release numerous seeds; old capsules often remain on tree for months. Attractive autumn foliage turning red or purple.
Flowers attract bees, wasps, butterflies; bark and leaves browsed by black rhino; fruits eaten by birds and mammals; supports insect biodiversity.
Small yellowish-green flowers, sweetly scented; small brown capsules with many seeds dispersed by splitting valves.
Nectar source for pollinators; fruits eaten by frugivorous birds; provides shelter.
Sow fresh seeds in well-drained soil; seeds germinate readily; sow in spring; seeds are very small, cover lightly.
Possible but low success; semi-hardwood cuttings with rooting hormone recommended.
Leaves used for herbal tea and potpourri; roots and leaves used medicinally for bleeding gums, mental disorders, and as insect repellent; wood used for fencing and charcoal; bark and leaves browsed by black rhino.
