Spirostachys africana is a medium-sized, semi-deciduous tree up to 18 meters tall, with a dense round crown and distinctive, dark, thick, rough bark cracked into rectangular sections. Leaves are alternate, simple, finely toothed, and turn yellow to deep red in autumn. Small spikes of pinkish flowers appear from July to September before new leaves, followed by three-lobed capsules that split explosively. The tree exudes a toxic milky latex and is renowned for its beautiful, scented wood.
Leaves are browsed by kudu, nyala, impala, vervet monkeys, elephants, bushbuck, giraffe, eland, and black rhino. Duiker, impala, and nyala feed on dry fallen leaves. Francolins, guineafowl, and doves eat the fruits. The tree is host to moth larvae that cause seeds to jump. Dense growth provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife.
Small pinkish flower spikes; three-lobed capsules split explosively; seeds parasitized by moth larvae.
Fruits eaten by birds; provides shelter and nesting sites.
Sow fresh seeds in sandy, well-drained soil; germinates readily.
Not commonly used; seed propagation preferred.
Wood used for furniture, fencing, and tools; latex used in traditional medicine and as fish poison.
Leaves browsed by game; not suitable for livestock due to toxicity.
Latex and smoke from wood are toxic to humans and animals.
Valuable for soil stabilization, wildlife support, and increasing biodiversity in bushveld and riverine restoration projects.
