Atalaya alata

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Atalaya alata (Sim) H.M.L.Forbes

Family: Sapindaceae

Common names: Lebombo krantz ash (Eng.); Lebombo kransesseboom (Afr.); umzondo, umnondo (Zulu)

SA Tree No: 427

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Introduction

Introduce a finer texture in your garden by planting Atalaya alata.

Atalaya alata foliage

Description

Description

Atalaya alata is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree, with a sparsely branched crown. The compound leaf has 5 to 7 pairs of leaflets. They are markedly asymmetrical, often almost sickle-shaped. The leaf margins are toothed, particularly along the upper edge.

A. alata foliage

The flowers are small and white and appear in spring to early summer, September to November. The fruit is three-winged, 1 or 2 of the wings often being partially developed. The fruit ripens in autumn.

A. alata flowers

The wood is fairly lightweight, brittle, fine-textured and pale yellow-white. This tree resembles Clausina anisata (perdepis), although Atalaya alata leaves do not smell when they are crushed.

Conservation Status

Status

Atalaya alata is widely distributed and not declining (Raimondo et al. in prep.).

Distribution and habitat

Distribution description

Atalaya alata is found on rocky slopes of the Lebombo Mountains in northern Kwa-Zulu-Natal, eastern Gauteng, Swaziland and Mozambique. It is sensitive to cold, and it should be grown in warm conditions.

Derivation of name and historical aspects

History

The specific epithet alata is from a Latin word alatus, meaning winged, and refers to the winged fruit. There are nine species of Atalaya in Australia, Indochina and southern Africa. There are three species in South Africa: A. alata, A. capensis and A. natalensis.

Ecology

Ecology

In the wild this tree is browsed by elephant.

Uses

Use

In the garden Atalaya alata gives a finer texture in its leaves and bark. It is not known to be of any cultural use other than its suitability for garden use.

A. alata seeds

Growing Atalaya alata

Grow

Atalaya alata is grown from seed. The seeds are collected when the fruit is pale brown and ripe, and before it falls. The seeds are easily cleaned by crushing the seed pod by hand. Treat the seeds with a fungicide to protect them from pre-emergence damping off. Sow seed in summer. Prepare a well-drained, well-aerated soil mix in a seed tray. Spread the seeds in the tray and cover them with a layer of bark or river sand. Water the seed tray with a very fine nozzle, place it in a warm place and always keep it moist. The seeds will take 4-6 weeks to germinate.

References

  • Coates Palgrave, K. 1983. Trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
  • Leistner, O.A. (ed.). 2000. Seeds plants of southern Africa : families and genera. Strelitzia 10. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
  • Palmer, E. & Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of southern Africa. Balkema, Cape Town.
  • Pooley, E. 1993. The complete field guide to trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
  • Raimondo et al. in prep. National Red List of threatened plants of South Africa. Strelitzia. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.
  • Van Wyk, A.E. (Braam) & Van Wyk, P. 1997. Field guide to trees of southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.

Credits

Giles Mbambezeli
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
October 2008

 

Plant Attributes:

Plant Type: Tree

SA Distribution: KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga

Soil type: Sandy, Loam

Flowering season: Early Summer

PH: Acid, Neutral

Flower colour: White

Aspect: Full Sun

Gardening skill: Average

Special Features:

Horticultural zones

Zone 1 Coastal summer rainfall, frost free

Zone 2 Coastal winter rainfall, frost free

Zone 5 Bushveld summer rainfall, Light frost