''Calodendrum capense'', the Cape chestnut, is an African tree which was first studied at
The Cape in
South Africa and cultivated widely for its prolific flower display. The tree obtained the common name of "Cape chestnut" because explorer
William Burchell saw a resemblance to the
horse chestnut in terms of flowers and fruit, though the two are not closely related.
Range
It is native to a swath of the east side of the continent from the equatorial highlands of
Kenya at its northern limit southwards through isolated mountains in
Tanzania to both sides of
Lake Malawi, the
Mashonaland
Mashonaland is a region in northern Zimbabwe.
Currently, Mashonaland is divided into four provinces,
* Mashonaland West
* Mashonaland Central
* Mashonaland East
* Harare
The Zimbabwean capital of Harare, a province unto itself, lies entirely ...
Plateau and
Eastern Highlands of
Zimbabwe, and then along the lower slopes of the
Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa and in coastal forests from
Port Elizabeth
Gqeberha (), formerly Port Elizabeth and colloquially often referred to as P.E., is a major seaport and the most populous city in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is the seat of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, Sou ...
to
Cape Town.
Habit
The tree can reach 20 metres high in a forest, but in cultivation it is more likely to reach 10 metres, with a spreading canopy.
Bark and flowers
The trunk is smooth and grey and the leaves are
ovate up to 22 cm long and 10 cm wide. The large pink
flowers are produced in terminal panicles and cover the tree canopy in the early summer.
Uses
Cape chestnut oil, obtained from the seeds, otherwise known as ''Yangu oil'', is a popular oil in African
skin care. Its inherent
ultraviolet protection, its high content of
essential fatty acids and
antioxidant
Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit oxidation, a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals. This can lead to polymerization and other chain reactions. They are frequently added to industrial products, such as fuels and lubricant ...
s and its mild odour destined it for natural cosmetics. The seeds are eaten by birds and monkeys.
Gallery
Calodendrum capense 2.jpg, Bark texture
Calodendrum capense, geurkliere, c, Uniegeboutuine.jpg, Secretory cavities in leaf
Calodendrum capense (Cape Chestnut) - Rutaceae (36149006220).jpg, flowers
Calodendrum capense, vrug, a, Uniegeboutuine.jpg, green fruit capsule
Calodendrum capense, droë vrugte, b, Uniegeboutuine.jpg, dry fruit capsules
Calodendrum capense seeds, by Omar Hoftun.jpg, Seeds
References
PlantZAfrica.com: ''Calodendrum capense''
External links
Trees of South Africa
Ornamental trees
Trees of Mediterranean climate
Zanthoxyloideae
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