Botanical name: Trichilia emetica
Common name: Natal Mahogany

 

Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Indigenous
Evergreen/Deciduous : Evergreen
Plant Type : Tree
Flower Colour : Light green to white
Foliage Colour : Green
Best Season : All seasons
Light : Sun
Hardiness : Semi-hardy to tender
Attributes : Attracts birds and butterflies
Height (m) : 8 - 10
Spread (m) : 8 - 10
    
Notes: Trichilia makes an excellent shade tree or screening plant. This large, evergreen has a wide spreading crown which casts dense shade. The handsome leaves are a glossy dark green. The sweet smelling flowers are a creamy green colour and are produced in tight bunches. The nectar attracts bees and birds. The round fruits split when mature, revealing striking red and black seeds which are eaten by birds. Occasionally a tree will only bear male flowers, so will never fuit. The Natal Mahogany grows easily from fresh seed. Growth is rapid - up to one metre per year if the summer is warm and rainfall high. It withstands an average winter drought and slight frost.

 

Water young plants well. Flowering time is August to October.