Turraea obtusifolia

Turraea obtusifolia

Quantity:

Common Names

Small Honeysuckle Tree (english)
Kleinkamperfoelieboom (afrikaans)
phukutswa (tswana)
amazulu (zulu)

Taxonomy

Family MELIACEAE
Genus Turraea
Species obtusifolia
SA Plant Number 296.1
Basionym Turraea obtusifolia

Description

Turraea obtusifolia is a hardy, semi-evergreen to briefly-deciduous scrambling shrub or small tree.  It tends to be more of a scrambler in shady conditions.  The leaves are a beautiful, dark glossy green.  It bears masses of very showy, pure white, star-shaped flowers that flush on and off all summer. They are pollinated by moths. The fruit looks like a green miniature pumpkin and, in late summer, as they ripen they split to reveal pretty orange-red seeds. The orange seed coat attracts birds to the garden, which disperse the seeds.

Use as a scrambler over rocks, as a container plant or focal point in the garden. This plant is a little slow-growing but its beauty makes it a worthwhile choice.

Plant in sun or semi-shade in well-drained soil and water well in summer.

Size: 1 to 3m

Wildlife

Pollinators:

The flowers are pollinated by Moths

Uses

Landscaping:
  • Good container subject.
  • Good specimen plant.
  • Suitable for rocky areas

Distribution

Limpopo, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal


Habitat:
Bushveld, Coastal forest, Rocky Outcrops

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