Allophylus dregeanus

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Allophylus dregeanus (Sond.) De Winter

Family: Sapindaceae

Common names: forest false currant, simple-leaved false currant, forest bastard currant (Eng.); bosbastertaaibos, enkelblaarvalstaaibos, enkelblaarbastertaaibos (Afr.); umntathasane, umntathazane (Zulu); uthabathani, ilitiye, umcandathambo, uthabathani (Xhosa)

SA Tree No: 424

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Introduction

Allophylus dregeanus, found in the evergreen forest, will greet you with its sweetly scented flowers, surrounded by beautiful butterflies.

Allophylus dregeanus leaves and flowers

Description

Allophylus dregeanus is either a shrub or a tree up to 6 m tall; stems are straight with a grey bark and a diameter of 30 cm. Leaves are simple (this is the only member of the genus Allophylus in South Africa with unifoliolate leaves), dark green above, pale beneath with serrated, wavy margins; the netveining of the leaves is conspicuous. The petiole (leaf stalk) is up to 25 mm long and somewhat hairy.

Allophylus dregeanus leaf

Small, white flowers are sweetly scented and found on spike-like racemes from February to May. The fruit is red and fleshy and appears March to September.

Allophylus dregeanus flowers

Conservation Status

Status

Allophylus dregeanus is considered not to be a threatened plant.

Distribution and habitat

Distribution description

Allophylus dregeanus, an endemic in South Africa, grows in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, in forest undergrowth and on forest margins, up to an altitude of 1 500 m.

Derivation of name and historical aspects

History

The word allophylus derives from the Greek words allos and phylon which mean different and tribe respectively. The specific epithet dregeanus derives from Johann Franz (Jean François) Drège, a famous German collector (1794-1881). He collected about 200 000 specimens of South African plants (comprising about 8000 species) between 1826 and 1834.

Allophylus dregeanus small tree

Uses

Use

The Allophylus species in southern Africa are food plants for larvae of the butterfly Pearl Charaxes (Charaxes varanes). The Pearl Emperor, as this butterfly is also called, has orange and pearly white wings. See if you can spot them in the Lowveld Botanical Garden and the KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden! The red fruit is eaten by birds.

Growing Allophylus dregeanus

Grow

Allophylus dregeanus prefers moist, warm climates with a moderate to good rainfall. Use seed to propagate the species. Sow seeds all year round. Position seed about 5 to 10 mm deep in fertile well-drained soil with adequate compost. Seed takes about 3-6 weeks to germinate. Keep seedlings constantly moist but not wet. Plant seedlings in a shady place in the garden.Plant growth is about 50 cm per year.

Spider mites are a known pest but can be controlled by the appropriate pesticides. Allophylus dregeanus will survive an average winter drought and slight frost.

References

Boon, R. 2010. Pooley's trees of eastern South Africa: a complete guide. Fauna and Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
Coates Palgrave, K. 1977. Trees of southern Africa, edn 2. Struik, Cape Town.
Germishuizen, G., Meyer, N.L., Steenkamp, Y. & Keith, M. (eds) 2006. Checklist of South African plants. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 41. SABONET, Pretoria. Gunn, M. & Codd, L.E. 1981. Botanical exploration of Southern Africa. Botanical Research Institute. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town.
Johnson, D., Johnson S. & Nicholls, G. 2002. Down to earth gardening with indigenous shrubs. Struik, Cape Town.
Joffe, P. 2001. Creative gardening with indigenous plants. A South African guide. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
Leistner, O.A. (ed.) 2000. Seed plants of southern Africa: families and genera. Strelitzia 10. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
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. SABONET, Pretoria.
Palmer, E & Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa. A.A.Balkema, Cape Town.
Pooley, E. 1998. A field guide to wild flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the eastern region. Fauna and Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
Raimondo, D., Von Staden, L., Foden, W., Victor, J.E., Helme, N.A., Turner, R.C., Kamundi, D.A. & Manyama, P.A. (eds) 2009. Red List of South African plants 2009. Strelitzia 25.South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Victor, J.E. & Van Wyk, A.E. 2005. Allophylus d regeanus (Sond.) De Winter. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version 2012. 1. Accessed on 2012/06/27.
Willis, C.K. & Woodhall, S.E. 2010. Butterflies of South Africa's National Botanical Gardens: an illustrated checklist. SANBI Biodiversity Series 16. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
Sunshine seeds. Allophylus dregeanus. http://www.sunshine-seeds.de/Allophylus-dregeanus-33578p.html?language=en. Accessed on 2012/07/10.

Credits

Hannelie Snyman
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
August 2012

Plant Attributes:

Plant Type: Shrub, Tree

SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal

Soil type:

Flowering season: Early Summer, Late Summer

PH:

Flower colour: White

Aspect:

Gardening skill: Average

Special Features:

Attracts birds

Attracts butterflies

Fragrant

Allophylus dregeanus