Heteropyxis natalensis

Heteropyxis natalensis

Quantity:

Common Names

Lavender Tree (english)
Laventelboom (afrikaans)
Mudedede (venda)
iNkhuza (zulu)

Taxonomy

Family MYRTACEAE
Genus Heteropyxis
Species natalensis
SA Plant Number 455
Basionym Heteropyxis natalensis

Description

Heteropyxis natalensis is a hardy, slender, upright, narrow, semi-deciduous tree with truly beautiful, pale creamy bark that, with age, develops beautiful apricot coloured patches on it.

The leaves are pale green, shiny and waxy and when crushed smell strongly of lavender.

In autumn they turn red or purple and depending on how cold it is, hold onto them for winter and drop them a few weeks before the new tender green leaves appear.

It bears small clusters of yellowish, sweetly scented flowers, from September to March, which attract butterflies and other insects. Ideal tree for small gardens.

It is particularly beautiful planted in groves and also makes a good container plant. The leaves can be used for herbal tea and potpourri and most parts of the tree are used medicinally.

Size 4 to 8m

Wildlife

Pollinating Insects:

The sweetly scented flowers attract butterflies and other insects to the garden.

Uses

Distribution

Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal


Biome:
Forest

Natural Habitat:

Forested Ravines, Woodland

 

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