South African Trees Medicinal and Fun Facts
Natal mahogany (English) rooiessenhout (Afrikaans) umathunzini (isiZulu) - Trichilia emetica
Deep Green glossy leaves dress the Natal Mahogany trees, dark wood bark on appearance, growing up to 25m high.
When bark is crushed it produces a pink powder used for stomach and intestinal ailments, also used to make a pinkish dye.
Leaves are browsed by game, flowers visited by sunbirds and monkeys. Fruit is eaten by monkeys and antelope, while the seeds are taken by the birds. A tree that has many purposes from the roots to the tips!
Sun loving tree that does not like frost, found in tropical Africa along our coastal belt of KwaZulu-Natal.
Marula Tree
One of southern Africa's most valued trees, edible fruit and multiples uses from almost all parts of the 9m high marula. Drought resistant, attracting birds, butterflies adding value in being edible, medicinal and useful.
Yes Amarula Cream something most local people will drink savouring the delicious alcoholic beverage from time to time. Elephants, Rhino, Giraffe, Kudu have been known to enjoy the leaves. Dropped ripened fruit, elephant alongside baboons celebrate the tipsy treat.
Fruit falls to the ground green, within 5 days ripens, juice has 4 times as much Vitamin C as orange juice. Inside each fruit is a large nut stone containing a soft macadamia type nut kernel which is highly nutritious.
Bees honey from the tree is light in colour, offering a lovely flavour. Leaves, Roots and Bark of tree has a variety of medicinal properties.
Trees are used in so many ways to benefit animals, birds, bees and man, stop and appreciate a lovely tree whenever you see one in your neighbourhood.
This post photography is taken in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa @old-guy-photos
All photography my own, using Canon PowerShot SX730 HS Bridge Camera
More beautiful shots and a great lesson as a bonus. You never fail to impress @joanstewart
I brought some marula tree seeds home, going to see if I have green enough fingers to get one to grow, always room in the garden for one more @energyaddict22
Thank you @joanstewart
I go to a very remote area of Zambia a couple of times a year. Most of the area is a game park and the people live the same way they did a 100 years ago. However, many will visit towns to work for short periods, especially during times of drought. As a result, a surprising number of people own cell phones even though they live in an area with no signal. And I mean no signal.
Something surprising happens during the nights. There are spots where the signal will come through. I do not understand why but somewhere during the night your cellphone will start beeping if you are in the right spot. These spots are identified by trees and locals will hang their phones in such a tree to check them for messages whenever they pass the tree.
I'll never forget my surprise the first time we encountered a cell phone tree with cell phones hanging in it like fruit.
from Kryptonia
I know you love the tree
Where there is a will - there is a way, an amazing story about living out in the bush @reonlouw it is fascinating how many people own cell phones, it has become a great way to communicate.
Many areas we were in this past week, very similar. One minute you connected and then suddenly nothing.
Wow! Those trees are really valuable!
We have coconut trees all around us. It typically used from roots to tip! Leaves are used as thatch roof, basket and mats, midribs of the leaf are used as brooms, trunks are used to make lumber for furniture and houses, its roots are used as a dye. Aside from that coconut fruit have a variety of usage. The coconut meat can made as coconut oil, coconut milk, soap. Coconut water is a refreshing drink but it can also be used to produce wine or vinegar when fermented. These are only but few of its usage!!! 😊
Wow, that also has so many uses @gingbabida fresh coconut we do get.
I have not seen plantations near to where I live, further up the coast in Mozambique I witnessed children climb to get the fruit, many years ago.
I had problems with mouth ulcer for long years and tried many allopathic , Homeopathy nothing cured my illness. Finally, I tried native Ayurveda and that cost me nothing much. The tree named "Koovalam" in native language "Wood Apple" in English which cured my illness. I just consumed the tree leaf paste with curd in empty stomach for 14-25 days straight and stopped consuming beef during this period.
More information about the tree Wood Apple
Koovalam
That is very interesting, I hope it assists others in your region. Seldom people look to their own local remedies on hand, so glad you found relief that did not cost anything @dhanu4u
Actually, nature has all the remedies but somehow we ignore because of our misunderstanding or lack of knowledge. In Kerala, tribal people know more about these types of medicines as they still depend on it in the deep forest.
The part you wrote about the marula tree reminded me of this clip from the movie "Funny People":
Got to love elephant lying down, still finding "1" more just within reach @netscape101 thanks for sharing this, it really reflects how animals enjoy the fruit.
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this is great article thanks for sharing!
I grow up in a place surrounded by trees but I really love bamboo trees I considered myself like a bamboo tree that what ever and how hard the storm in life like bamboo trees always stand and face when the sun is rising back!
from kryptonia
We have small patches of bamboo, I would dearly love to see a bamboo forest @cristinealimasac
Wow, really interesting trees! It is cool that the first tree's bark can make a pink dye. I have never seen these trees before. Thanks for sharing.
We know so little about trees and flowers around us, what they truly offer @apanamamama many tribal people will teach you so much we do not know, shared down generations knowledge.
You always go to the coolest places Joan, you should become a travel agent in your spare time ;) Is this wetland park close to St. Lucia?
St Lucia Lake and Estuary @luckylie love this area, so much to see and learn.
Thank you so much for sharing this valuable information about these trees. Blessings!
Always a pleasure to share @hope777 glad you enjoyed the topic.
They are really trees with a purpose. I have a tree also planted at our backyard. I considered it a tree with many purposes and it is called malunggay tree. You might be asking why it is because it has lots of benefits. Its leaves can be cooked and used as medicine and so is its seeds.
Always so interesting to learn of trees that are used in different ways, glad you have planted one that serves you when it grows up @rubelynmacion
Trees are life! To me there is something unbelievably magical about them. They definitely bring healing to my soul and spirit. I attached a photo I took of my son at one of the giants at the Garden Of Eden, just outside Knysna.
Reach for the Sky that must be amazing to visit @koevert
Gracias por compartir tan valiosa información de los tesoros de la naturaleza @xintoe
When we learn more about what nature offers us, we respect nature in all her glory @xinto
I love cherry blossoms, they not only smell wonderful but when the petals fall to the ground they look amazing, creating huge swafes of pink carpets.
Kryptonia ID Socialmediaseo
The fresh fruit must be a treat, picking them directly when ripe as well @socialmediaseo
About 20 years ago i planted a monkey tree in my front garden. It was about 1m high, dark green and had almost no shadow. That was good for my neighbour. I found it funny that it looks like it would be soft to the touch, but in reality it cuts you immediately. I still like that tree.
Kryptonia @nexit
Never heard of your tree that cuts, it must be away of protection @nexit enjoy the tree knowing it adds beauty to life.
Thanks!
My English is limited...
In the picture, you can see, it looks soft, but every edge is actually very sharp.
Have a nice weekend!
It looks like it could defend itself from anything @nexit thank for sharing the photo, it speaks volumes.
I am not a great fan of trees,,, because it is pretty scarce to see trees in urban nigeria....
Time to start teaching people to grow gardens on top of buildings, small trees will also thrive @awosode
@Awosode, we have teak tree, moringa tree, mahogany, obeche, palm tree, and so many other useful trees here in Nigeria
I am not into agriculture so as to know the names of all trees... Thanks bro
Funny, Agriculture is life bro
Thanks for sharing nice trees tho
All trees are beneficial but some give more benefits. I noticed that some trees in our parks have cards where it is written what kind of tree it is just like what you have here. They just did that recently. I wonder though why not all trees were given an identification.
I am so glad they have started showing what trees you are looking at, I used to look high and lo to find information @leeart
Gracias por explicar lo de estos arboles impresionantes,@bon-nom
I havent heard of marula tree , but i know of moringa tree which contain alot of vitamin. I completed your task on kryptonia
Tribal leaders and older folk will know about trees in your region @jacobzeema it is well worth the time spent learning more about what is available.
It's so nice to see the tree, Im always heard of the tree I don't know the way it look like.... Thanks for posting @bodymanual
Trees are living things because they were created by God for the benefit of man and animals,we should always learn to appreciate them and also plant more....
I like this wonderful post
I love trees without them I dont know how this world will look like
trees are great
Brilliant post, I do love monkey puzzle trees, these do look good when looked after and cultivated properly.
Nice picture of trees,, i like tree formations.
tress is very important to our environment it is the one who gives fresh air. I live in the mountain where there are a lot of tress.
your friend from Kryptonia @sorenkierkegaard EDENJEVY OLIVEROS
This are really nice trees but I don't know much about trees
Beautiful!
Nature is something incredible and seeing the peace that the trees transmit us is something that should be contemplated.
Kryptonia @orjesus88
Deep respect for nature, we take too much for granted @orjesus88
Wow the tree is really standing ovationally and I wish I climb it
you are doing great job
We should all go back to basics. Nature gives us what we need, but we no longer know what it is we need. @damiana
Nature gives us more than we realize @damiana people need to be reminded where something came from, and it's not always packed in a box or plastic.
Nice nice..
Upvoted, thanks
I like these pics very nice
Upvoted, thanks
Good job
Hay que cuidar los arboles, son muy importantes en el dia a dia! From kryptonia
Great nature photos :)
Upvote
Kryptonia @cashthekush2
I like trees and when its hot I would relax under the shades.
kryptonia: blockgators
Upvote.
Kryptonia @Hokkaido
Those trees are also a witnessing a history
Of South Africa. Those might live centuries ago!