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You will certainly feel this ...
Buffalo Thorn
This group consists of those trees and plants indigenous to the area and those selected are randomly picked from a vast list.
Listen to the bees as they buzz around the flowers or to the calls of the various birds who eat the fruits. Taste the edible fruit which is rather dry and mealy. You will certainly feel the prick of the thorns if you get too close.
Listen to the bees as they buzz around the flowers or to the calls of the various birds who eat the fruits. Taste the edible fruit which is rather dry and mealy. You will certainly feel the prick of the thorns if you get too close.
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Latin name
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Zizyphus mucronata – related to the lotus it derives its name from the Arabic for lotus ‘zizuof’. Mucronata is Latin for sharp points.
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Common name
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Catch and stab or wait a bit (Afrikaans – haak-en-steek or wag ‘n bietjie)
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Location
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Throughout Southern Africa except the Western Cape. In bush or grassland rather than true woodland.
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Description
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Large impressive tree.
Leaves are distinctly three veined from the base, glossy dark green, toothed and alternate single.
The spines are a notable feature. May be absent but when present grow in pairs at the junction of each leave stem. One spine is curved (haak) and other straight (steek).
Flowers from November to February are inconspicuous.
The fruit, when ripe, March to August, is russet-red or orange berries of 1-1.5cm.
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Edible
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The berries are edible but rather dry and mealy. They were roasted and used as coffee during the Anglo-Boer War. They are much sort after by birds and browsers.
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Medicinal
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Various parts of the tree will cure anything from dysentery, boils, swollen glands, lumbago, measles, toothache and all pain.
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Interesting
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The Zulus use a branch of the tree to transport ancestral spirits from an old dwelling to a new one. The branch may even buy a seat in a taxi if need be.
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Garden uses
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Hardy and attractive tree, thorn-less varieties are available. Attracts birds.
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