Obetia tenax

Obetia tenax (N.E.Br.) Friis

mountain nettle, rock tree-nettle, tree nettle, giant nettle, stinging nettle tree

Afr

bergbrandnetel, rotsbrandnetel

isiZulu

uluzi, umdadi-omkhulu, impongozembe, imbati

IsiXhosa

umbabazane, uluza,

Description

Family:

Urticaceae

Order:

Rosales

Description

Evergreen shrub or small tree with stinging hairs. Leaves simple, ovate to elliptic, dark green above, paler below. Flowers small, greenish, in clusters. Fruits small, dry achenes. Found in forests and forest margins. Important for wildlife food and shelter.

Plant Details

Height

2 - 8 m

Thorns

Absent

Soil

Prefers well-drained fertile soils

Moderate

Growth Rate

2 - 8 m

Size

Several decades

Lifespan

Flower Colour

Flowering Season

,

Horticultural Zones

Neutral to slightly acidic

pH

Prefers well-drained fertile soils

Soil

Full shade to partial shade

Aspect

Low

Frost Tolerance

Low

Drought Resistance

Companion Plants

Associated with other forest species

Caterpillars

Supports butterfly larvae

Associations

Descriptions

Fruits eaten by birds; flowers attract pollinators; provides shelter for wildlife.

Flowers and fruits

Small greenish flowers; small dry fruits eaten by birds.

Birds

Food and shelter for frugivorous birds

By Seeds:

Seeds collected from ripe fruits; sow fresh; germination moderate

By Cuttings:

Difficult; mainly propagated by seed

Traditional Uses

Used medicinally for skin ailments

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