Family FABACEAE
Genus Baphia
Species racemosa
SA Plant Number 224
Basionym Baphia racemosa

Baphia racemosa is a hardy, evergreen, quite slow growing shrub or small tree with a dense, rounded crown of dark green, glossy leaves.

It bears sprays of pure white pea-like flowers with a yellow honey-guide spot on the upper petal from August to November. The flowers fill the air with a strong violet scent and attract bees and a whole host of insects to the garden.

It is also the host plant of the Blue-spotted Charaxes and Orange-barred playboy butterflies.

It is an ideal tree for a small garden and should be planted in well-composted soil in shade or semi-shade.

Size 3 to 6m

Nectar plant: The flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects to the garden with their nectar-rich flowers.

Butterfly host plant: Host plant of the Blue-spotted Charaxes and Orange-barred Playboy butterflies

Landscaping: Beautiful tree for a small garden. A good tree to plant near swimming pools.

KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape

Habitat:Areas of secondary regrowth, Coastal swamps, Forest-savanna habitats, Lowland areas, Riverine forests

Growth Rate: Slow Growing, Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen, Hardiness - Frost: Fairly Hardy, Plant Type: Shrub - Large, Plant Type: Tree - Large, Position: Shade, Position: Sun - Full, Soil: Loamy - Compost rich Soil, Garden Uses: Bird Friendly, Garden Uses: Butterfly Host, Garden Uses: Container Plant, Garden Uses: Small Gardens, Hardiness - Drought: Drought Hardy, Flower colour: White - Cream, Garden type: Wetland and Marsh Gardens, Garden type: Wildlife Garden,

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