Ehretia amoena

Ehretia amoena

Common Names

Sandpaper-bush, Sandpaper Puzzle-bush (english)Skurweblaarbos (afrikaans)umklele-omkhulu, umlovu (zulu)libhungela, umklele (sesotho)

Taxonomy

Family BORAGINACEAE
Genus Ehretia
Species amoena
SA Plant Number 656
Basionym Ehretia amoena

Description

Ehretia amoena is a fairly hardy, deciduous, small tree or shrub with gracefully arching branches which make great nesting sites. It has dark green, rounded leaves that are paler below and have a sandpapery feel. The bark on the stem is white to pale brown and smooth turning grey with shallow cracks while the branches have ash white bark. Showy and fragrant white or pale mauve flowers are borne just before or with new leaves in spring and attract insects. These are followed by masses of fleshy, yellow seeds that are relished by birds.

These features, along with its beautiful shape, make this little tree a worthwhile addition to a small garden. The wood of this little tree is strong and used traditionally to make stampers and fence posts. It is also used in traditional medicine.

Plant in sun or semi shade in well drained, fairly sandy soil.

Size 3m

Wildlife

Fruit for birds: Birds relish the ripe fruit.

Plants for Pollinators: Many insect pollinators are drawn to the flowers in spring and summer, and these in turn attract many insect eating birds.

Uses

Traditional: This plant is used in traditional medicine as well as the fairly hard wood being used  traditionally for fencing posts as well as for stampers of corn.

Distribution

KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo

Natural Habitat Savannah, coastal forest margins, bushveld, thicket, along watercourses.

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