Trees of the Year 2001

Common Tree: Tarwood

National Tree Number: 365
Botanical name: Loxostylis alata A.Spreng.
Other names: Teerhout, Tierhout, Wild Pepper Tree

Description:
Plants are evergreen ornamental trees with a wide range of ecological and cultural requirements. Up to 5cm in height. This tree closely resembles the Brazilian pepper tree, Schinus terebinthifolius of the same family, which does not have the characteristic red sepals.

The leaves are alternate and compound with 2 to 5 pairs of leaflets, including a terminal leaflet. Typical of the species is the conspicuous winged rachis. Young leaves are red. The flowers are male or female, on different trees and produced from November to February. The male flowers are white and the female flowers are green. Sepals of the female flowers enlarge substantially and turn pink-red, covering the developing fruit. The bark is light grey, flaking with vertical fissures.

General:
The name Loxostylis is derived from the Greek loxos meaning crooked or oblique, and the Latin stylis for style, in reference to the lateral attachment of the style to the ovary. The common name tarwood presumably refers to the oily residue from fruits that has probably been used or compared to the pioneers’ wagon grease. The genus Loxostylis conatins a single species that occurs in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal only. Other recommended trees in this family are the red currant, wild-plum and the marula. ¹⁾

Uses:
The leaves and bark are used for medicinal purposes. It is good species to plant in gardens because it is attractive, fast-growing and not too large.

Distribution:
Occurs on rocky outcrops and cliffs of sandstone and quartzite. It is also found along forest margins and along river banks. The distribution area is along the east coast (Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal) adjoining the Karoo.

Cultivation: Seeds germinate easily but often transplant poorly. It is a fast growing tree and will tolerate mild frost. ¹⁾

Related indigenous trees
Vepris undulata (White-ironwood)
Calodendrum capense (Cape-chestnut)
Zanthoxylum capense (Small knobwood)
Harpephyllum caffrum (Wild-plum)
Rhus chirindensis (Red Currant)
Sclerocarya birrea (Marula)