Rockwood
Heeria argentea
Common names: Kliphout (stone wood); Klipes; Melkboom (Afr.)
SA Tree No: 368
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Size:
A shrub or small tree reaching around 5 m in height.
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Bark:
Rough brown or grey bark with a mottled appearance..
Leaf:
Leaf colour is dark green above. Fine hairs grow on the lower leaf surfaces. Young stems are dull orange-green, turning pale grey or whitish.
Flower:
Male and female flowers usually appear on separate trees. Blooming time is from midsummer to midwinter..
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Fruit:
The fruit starts off reddish, turning pale green and finally shiny black with a rough surface.
Growth Habit:
F.
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Habitat:
It occurs on rocky mountain slopes among fynbos.
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Wildlife:
When the fruits fall among the rocks, they are eagerly consumed by the dassies (hyrax) that live there. This may contribute to seed dispersal.. This is the first description of rodent dispersal of fleshy fruits in South Africa. This rodent–tree mutualism is perhaps the clearest global example of directed seed dispersal.
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Distribution:
This species is widespread in the mountains of the Western Cape, from the northern Cederberg to the Hottentots Holland Mountains south of Gordon's Bay.
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Uses:
The bark was used in tanning. Historically the wood was used for wagon brake-blocks.
Growing it...
The tree can be propagated from seed,
April Photo's
