A hardy, evergreen tree with a graceful, weeping habit, typically 5 – 10 m tall. The bark is dark brown and rough, with slender, drooping branches. Leaves are trifoliate, dark green above and paler below, with a leathery texture. Small, yellowish-green flowers appear in dense sprays from winter to spring, followed by clusters of small, edible, reddish-brown drupes. The tree is extremely drought- and frost-tolerant, often found along watercourses, in bushveld, and on disturbed soils. It is widely used in urban landscaping and ecological restoration due to its resilience and ecological value.
-Insects:Flowers attract bees, wasps, and beetles; foliage supports a range of caterpillars and leaf-feeding insects.
-Birds:Fruits are a major food source for fruit-eating birds such as bulbuls and mousebirds; dense canopy provides nesting and shelter.
-Mammals:Fruits are eaten by small mammals; foliage browsed by game.
-Ecosystem Services:Excellent for windbreaks, erosion control, and rehabilitation of degraded land. Fixes nitrogen and improves soil quality.
Small, yellowish-green flowers in dense sprays; pollinated by insects. Fruits are small, reddish-brown drupes, eaten by birds and mammals, aiding seed dispersal.
Bulbuls, mousebirds, starlings, and other frugivorous birds feed on fruit; canopy provides nesting cover.
Collect ripe fruit, remove pulp, and sow seeds in sandy soil; germination is improved by soaking seeds overnight.
Semi-hardwood cuttings root well with hormone treatment; keep moist and shaded until established.
Fruits used for brewing traditional beer; bark and roots used medicinally for stomach ailments and as a diuretic; wood used for tool handles and fuel.
Leaves browsed by livestock and wild game, especially during drought.
Non-toxic.
Excellent for soil stabilization, windbreaks, and revegetation of disturbed or saline soils.
