Trees of the Year 2002

Rare Tree: Natal Flame Bush

National Tree Number:
Botanical name: Alberta magna
Other names: Breekhout, iButha-elikhulu, iGibampondo, uMcumane,
uMabophe, iSiqalaba.

Description:
It grows slowly and seldom exceeds 10 m in height. With its dark green, shiny foliage, this evergreen tree is striking wherever it grows, showing up best as an isolated specimen tree.

The bark is grey, smoothish, rough with age. Leaves are opposite, simple, elliptic (70-130 x 30-50 mm), shiny, light to dark green above, paler beneath with raised yellow midrib and side veins, rolled under, tapering to rounded tip, base narrowly tapering. Clusters of tubular, scarlet flowers, 25 mm long, bloom in early spring (October-December), making the tree spectacular. The sepals, which are now red, remain after the flowers themselves have fallen, and the tree is very decorative for many weeks.¹⁾

General:
A beautiful indigenous tree that deserves to be planted in greater numbers. For the very large garden. A special appeal to farmers to grow them on their land or small holdings.

Uses:
Insect repellent.

Distribution:
It grows wild in the eastern part of our country, Kwazulu-Natal and Transkei.¹⁾

Cultivation: It will flower sooner and grow quicker if planted correctly in fertile soil in a large 1 m hole. Suited to coastal or hot areas where the air is never too dry and without heavy frost. ¹⁾

Sources:
1. National Botanical Institute