Cape Beech
Rapanea melanophloeos
Common names: Boekenhout, Beukehout (Afr) , isiQwane sehlati (Xhosa)
SA Tree No: 578
​
Size:
The graceful evergreen Cape Beech grows up to 18 m tall.
​
Bark:
When mature the trunk is pale grey to brown in colour. Slightly rough, it developed small raised woody bumps that give it the look of cured ostrich skin.
Leaf:
The mature leaves are leathery and dull, dark green, paler below. When young, leaves are pale green and maroon.
Flower:
Small, whitish or creamy yellow clusters of flowers appear on the branchlets in winter, spring and early summer (June to December).
Fruit:
The fruits are thinly fleshed and spherical in shape, green when young and purple when matured. It is not uncommon to find flowers and fruit on the same tree. Fruits start appearing three months after the flowers.
Growth Habit:
Straight up trunk with narrow canopy. It is dense, evergreen and sends out suckers to form bush clumps.
​
Habitat:
It is found along the damp areas of mountain and coastal forests or swamps and bush clumps. The Cape beech does well in coastal areas where winds are strong; it is fairly drought-tolerant.
​
Wildlife:
The flowers attract bees and flies, and the fruit is eaten birds, baboons, vervet monkeys, and bushpig.
​
Distribution:
The Cape Beech is widely distributed throughout southern Africa from the Western Cape to Zambia, and the east coast to the tropics.
​
Uses:
The wood is hard and used to make furniture and violins.
The grey bark and sometimes the roots are used medicinally for respiratory problems, stomach, muscular and heart complaints. The bark contains tannin and is used as iNtelezi (a charm to protect against evil spirits) by Nguni people.​
Growing it...
Rapanea melanophloeos grows easily from seed sown in spring or early summer. Sow seeds in a well-drained, general-mix, potting soil, placed in a warm, moist, shaded area. Treatment of seed with fungicide will prevent damping off and increase the percentage germination.
April Photo's
