Tag Archive for learn about trees

Did you know? – Toad Tree

Lacey / September 14, 2011 / No comments

Part 3 of our factsheet series

Toad tree Scientific name: Tabernaemontana elegans Description: Shrub or small deciduous to semi-deciduous tree with single upright trunk. Habitat: Bushveld and coastal areas of North-East South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. Bark: Thick and cork like with longitudinal fissures. Leaves: Found at end of branches. Glossy dark green on upper side, underside contains prominent hairless veins in lateral pairs of up to 22. Large; 90-200mm x 50-70mm. Fruit: Hang like pendulums on stalks from branches. Are joined at the base in pairs. Semi round with three ridges, they vary in colour from dark green to grey. Surface is covered with light grey cork-like warts. Sometimes covered in a white latex wax. Seeds are contained inside within a bright orange pulp. Uses: The leaves are suitable for browsers. The pulp of the fruit when ripe is edible. Pulp can also be used to curdle milk. The latex is used for birdlime and to stop bleeding. The root is thought to have medicinal properties. Flowers: Occur in fragrant bunches at the end of branches. White corolla lobes approx 10mm long and twist to the left. Did you know: Hang like pendulums on stalks from branches. Are joined at the base in pairs. Semi round with three ridges, they vary in colour from dark green to grey. Surface is covered with light grey cork-like warts. Sometimes covered in a white latex wax. Seeds are contained inside within a bright orange pulp.

Category: Albizia camp, Bushwire, Did you know?, Environmental Awareness Course / Tags: , , , , , , , , ,