103.
Large Sourplum Ximenia caffra (Groot Suurpruim)
Order: Santalales. Family: Olacaceae
© leachy
Kruger National Park
© Amoli
Pilanesberg, Korwe Loop
Description
Ximenia caffra is a deciduous or semi-deciduous small spiny tree or shrub up to 6 m tall with an untidy open crown. The bark is dark grey and rough, but pale green or brown on younger branches. Branchlets are spine-tipped. Sapwood is white and heartwood is hard and reddish brown. The root system is non aggressive.
The leathery, dark green leaves are often in clusters (fascicles) on short spur branchlets. They are simple, 60 x 25 mm, longitudinally folded; apex blunt, often notched.
Ximenia caffra var.
caffra has dense reddish hairs on the leaves and branchlets, whereas var.
natalensis has smooth leaves. It has straight, brown thorns.
Flowers may be overlooked, are fairly small, tubular, sweet-scented and creamy green and borne from August to October in single stem clusters in the axils of the spines or on the dwarf branchlets. They are followed by thinly fleshy, oval, attractive fruits (drupes) which are 25 mm long, somewhat fleshy; pale yellow or orange-pink, becoming bright red when ripe with white spots. The single large seed inside contains Ximenia oil which has various uses.
Distribution
It occurs from Tanzania in the north to KwaZulu-Natal in the south. In South Africa the two varieties have a different distribution pattern with var.
caffra occurring in the northern and central regions of Limpopo and var.
natalensis is found further east and south in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal.
Habitat
The tree is found in woodlands and grasslands and on rocky outcrops and sometimes on termites mounds.
Links:
Val Thomas, Rina Grant: Sappi Tree Spotting: Kwazulu-Natal and Eastern Cape;
Ernst Schmidt, Mervyn Lötter, Warren McCleland: Trees and Shrubs of Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park;
Braam Van Wyk, Piet Van Wyk: Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa