Cryptocarya myrtifolia
Introduction
Amongst the seven species of Cryptocarya in South Africa, Cryptocarya myrtifolia is one of the rarest. It is an attractive and distinctive, evergreen tree found mostly in evergreen forests of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The leaves, bark and twigs have a distinct camphor-like smell.
Description
Description
Cryptocarya myrtifolia is a medium to tall evergreen tree about 10–20 m tall, with a brown, smooth stem. This tree has lanceolate to broadly obovate, dark green, leathery leaves, 10–50 x 15–25 mm, with a camphor-like smell. The leaf margins are smooth with a pointed apex (drip tip). Young leaves are usually hairy and pinkish-bronze, and when matured they become smooth, green above and tinted bluish beneath. The flowers appear in early summer, from October to January, they are very small, cream-coloured with rusty velvet hairs, in small axillary clusters. After flowering this tree develops small, rounded, fruits, reddish purple when matured, about 12 mm in diameter, in late summer and autumn (around January to April).
Conservation Status
Status
According to the Red list of South African plants Cryptocarya myrtifolia is assessed as Vulnerable (VU), because it is an uncommon species and has experienced an estimated 30% decline in population over the past 150 years caused by destructive harvesting of bark for the traditional medicine market, and deforestation and habitat loss for urban expansion. The people of Durban and the surrounding areas use the bark as traditional medicine and it is sold in traditional medicine markets. These are the main causes of the decline in the wild population in KwaZulu-Natal. It has been reported that debarked trees do not recover easily and the development of and growth of the small branches of the basal region is poor. To conserve the species, it has been recommended that bark harvesting should be reduced to narrow vertical strips to minimise damage and facilitate regeneration.
Distribution and habitat
Distribution description
Cryptocarya myrtifolia is endemic to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces and grows in Northern Coastal Forest, Southern Mistbelt Forest and Scarp Forest, only found in terrestrial habitats. It has a scattered distribution, occurring on on steep slopes and valley bottoms, often close to waterfalls and streams, in coastal, scarp and mistbelt forest to 1 500 m altitude.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
History
The genus name Cryptocarya comes from the Greek words, krypto meaning ‘hidden’ and karya meaning ‘nut’, reflecting the fruit’s structure which is enclosed within a persistent perianth tube. The species name myrtifolia comes from the genus name Myrtus which refers to the Myrtle plant and folia means ‘leaves’, thus the name means ’leaves that resemble those of a myrtle plant’. The genus Cryptocarya has approximately 350 species globally, however, only 7 species occur in southern Africa. The Lauracae is one of the oldest families of flowering plants, mostly made up of evergreen trees and shrubs that occur in tropical and subtropical forests.
Ecology
Ecology
This tree attracts wildlife, specifically birds and insects. Birds are known to eat the fruits of this tree when it ripens. Cryptocarya myrtifolia is the larval host plants for certain moth and butterfly species, the insects lay their eggs on this tree and their larvae will feed on it.
Uses
Use
The bark of this tree is used for traditional medicinal purposes because there is a belief that it treats some illnesses and headaches. Some people use the leaves to bathe. There are also people who harvest the bark of this tree to sell in traditional medicinal markets of Durban and Johannesburg to make money for living. Cryptocarya myrtifolia is often used as a substitute for Ocotea bullata because they are used to treat similar ailments and Ocotea bullata is very scarce and thus difficult to find.
Cryptocarya myrtifolia also has its horticultural uses, although not well known in gardens, it makes a handsome evergreen garden tree and grows well in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, where it can be seen growing beside the Tree Canopy Walkway in the Arboretum.
Growing Cryptocarya myrtifolia
Grow
Cryptocarya myrtifolia can be propagated sexually (by seed) or asexually (by cuttings). To propagate by seeds, once the fruits are ripened, they are collected and the outer layer (fleshy part) is cleaned off the seeds. After cleaning the seeds, a systemic fungicide that controls downy mildew, seed rot and damping off diseases is applied to prevent seed decay and promote healthy seedlings and young plants free of these seed-borne diseases.
To break seed dormancy (inability of seed to germinate), use a sharp blade to nick (scratch) the seeds and place them in water over 24 hours, this allows the seeds to imbibe water and should help with accelerating embryo induction.
Prepare a well-drained sandy loam growing mix, such as one part coarse river sand, one part sifted fine-milled pine bark and one part sifted compost. Before filling the trays with the medium, make sure that the trays are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized to prevent diseases. Sow the seeds in the medium and cover them lightly with fine-milled bark or use the same sowing medium. Water the seedlings with a watering can fitted with a fine rose so that the soil medium is not washed out by large heavy droplets. Keep the soil damp or moist but not waterlogged. Place the seed trays on raised benches where they will receive a little bit of sunlight, and good air ventilation particularly at the base and above the trays. Germination is expected after four to six weeks.
This species is also propagated from cuttings by selecting healthy soft-wood stems in early spring or early summer. Dip the cut ends in a rooting hormone to encourage rooting. Prepare a well-drained sandy loam potting mix, insert the cuttings and make sure that the node at the cut bottom is buried. Water the cuttings with a watering can fitted with a fine rose so that the cutting is not damaged or displaced by large heavy droplets. Keep the soil damp or constantly moist but not waterlogged.
The seedlings should be pricked out when they show development of true leaves and before they become crowded and start to compete with each other. Pot the seedlings into individual pots and grow them on until they are large enough to be planted in the garden.
This tree tolerates subtropical climatic conditions, and it is also drought resistant. It grows well in full sun and partial shade. The soil must be well drained, preferably sand or loamy. This is a slow growing tree, it can grow around 30 to 60 cm per year depending on the conditions. There are pests and diseases that can affect this tree, such as sooty mold which is caused by sap-sucking insects like aphids, scale and mealy bug. Sometimes this tree can be affected by fungal diseases like anthracnose and fig rust, causing leaf spots and other issues.
References
- Boon, R. 2010. Pooley's trees of eastern South Africa, a complete guide. Flora & Fauna Publications Trust, Durban.
- Coates Palgrave, K. 1983. Trees of southern Africa, 2nd Revised Edn. Struik Publishers, Cape Town, Johannesburg.
- Koekemoer, M., Steyn, H.M. & Bester, S.P. 2015. Guide to Plant Families of southern Africa. Strelitzia 31. 2nd ed., 2nd print. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa.
- Nichols, G. 2005. Growing rare plants: a practical handbook on propagating the threatened plants of southern Africa. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 36.
- Plants of the World online. Cryptocarya myrtifolia. https://powo.science.kew.org/results?q=Cryptocarya%20myrtifolia. Accessed 16/01/2019.
- Williams, V.L., et al. 2008. Cryptocarya myrtifolia Stapf. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants. https://redlist.sanbi.org/species.php?species=1018-5.
Credits
Mfundo Mkungo and Mpendulo Gabayi
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
February 2026
Acknowledgements: images by Geoff Nichols and Alice Notten.
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type: Tree
SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal
Soil type: Loam
Flowering season: Early Summer
PH: Acid, Neutral
Flower colour: Cream
Aspect: Shade, Morning Sun (Semi Shade), Afternoon Sun (Semi Shade)
Gardening skill: Average
Special Features:
Attracts birds
Attracts butterflies
Fragrant
Medical plant
Horticultural zones
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