Description
Apodytes abbotti is a newly described, hardy, evergreen shrub or tree with smooth, grey bark and tough, leathery, rounded leaves that grow on purple twigs.
It has a lovely rounded shape and bears massed spikes of sweetly-scented white flowers from December to February. They are followed by black seeds carried in bright red cup-like arils. This red stands out in dark, shaded conditions and is an invitation to birds to eat the fruit and distribute it.
It is an ideal tiny tree for small gardens but also makes a wonderful shrub and container specimen.
Plant in sun or shade, in compost-rich soil and mulch well.
Size: 1 to 5m
Distribution
KwaZulu Natal
Habitat:Evergreen Forest, Forest margin, Forested Ravines, Rocky Outcrops