Sideroxylon inerme
Sideroxylon inerme
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Sideroxylon inerme is a plant of dry to moist areas in the tropics and subtropics of astern Africa, where it can be found mainly near the coast but also at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows in areas where the mean annual rainfall can range from 300 - 1,500 metres[1]. Trees can be long lived, specimens more than 500 years old are known[1]. The tree is protected in South Africa, where a permit is requires even for pruning a plant; 3 specimens there have been declared National Monuments[1]. The tree has small greenish white flowers with a strong, unpleasant smell[2].
Propagation
Seed - easy, the seed sprouting within 4 - 6 weeks[1]. Cuttings are also possible, but only semi-mature side shoots should be used - they normally root in 6 - 8 weeks[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Sideroxylon+inerme>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. — http://www.prota.org ↩︎An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
- [2]PlantZAfrica.com — http://www.plantzafrica.com ↩︎An excellent site giving detailed descriptions and uses of many S. African plants.
- [3]Report on the Natal Forests — Fourcade H.G. · Wm. ;, Natal · 1889 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org ↩︎Contains a list of the trees of Natal, with a brief listing of their uses, including many traditional uses. The report can be downloaded from the Internet.
- [4]Silva Capensis — Pappe L. · Ward & Co.; London. · 1862 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org ↩︎A work on the useful trees and shrubs of S. Africa, written in 1862. Mainly looking at ways of exploiting the plants, but also deals with some traditional uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.