textAdminOnlyNameForClipboard
Dune False Currant
Allophylus natalensis
SA tree no: 426
English: Dune False Currant, Dune Bastard Currant, Coast False Currant, Natal False Currant, Water False Currant
Afrikaans: Duinevalstaaibos, Duin-bastertaaibos (a), Duin-valstaaibos, Duinebontrys, Waterbontrys, Natalse Bontrys
Xhosa: Umgqalagquzu, Uzingathi
Zulu: Isihlohlela
Historical scientific names: Allophylus dregeanus var. natalensis, Allophylus melanocarpus
Misapplied scientific names: Allophylus erosus, Rhus erosus, Schmidelia natalensis
Allophylus natalensis, commonly known as the Dune False Currant, is a graceful indigenous evergreen shrub or small tree, often found in coastal and dune environments. It is distinguished by its glossy, bright green trifoliolate leaves, which are typically larger and less hairy than some of its relatives, and its sprays of small, fragrant, yellowish flowers followed by clusters of bright red, cherry-like fruits.
Have you got a better picture?
If you don't mind us using it, please upload it by clicking the Upload button below (you must be logged in to do this)
Distinguishing features:
Leaves are trifoliolate (three leaflets), often glossy and bright green.
Leaflets are generally larger and less hairy than A. decipiens, with entire (smooth) or slightly serrated margins.
Produces sprays of tiny, sweetly scented, yellowish flowers.
Bears small, bright red, shiny, cherry-like fruits.
Often found in sandy coastal areas and dunes, indicating salt and wind tolerance.
Overall appearance:
Allophylus natalensis typically grows as a dense, often multi-stemmed shrub or a small, slender tree. It forms a rounded or somewhat spreading crown of bright, glossy green foliage, making it an attractive and lush addition to coastal or well-drained gardens.
Height:
Typically grows 1.5 to 5 metres tall, but can sometimes reach up to 7 metres, especially in sheltered conditions.
Width:
It can spread to a width of 1 to 3 metres.
Leaves:
The leaves are characteristic: trifoliolate, meaning each compound leaf consists of three distinct leaflets. These leaves are typically arranged alternately along the stems, but can appear clustered. The individual leaflets are relatively large compared to A. decipiens, typically 3-12 cm long and 1.5-5 cm wide, and are ovate to elliptical in shape. They are glossy, bright green on the upper surface, paler underneath, and the margins are usually entire (smooth) or sometimes shallowly serrated (toothed), especially towards the apex. The texture is firm and somewhat leathery, and they are usually hairless or very sparsely hairy.
Flowers:
The flowers are tiny (about 2-3 mm in diameter), inconspicuous, and yellowish-green. They are sweetly scented and produced in slender, branched sprays (panicles or racemes) that are borne in the leaf axils. Allophylus natalensis flowers are functionally dioecious (some plants predominantly male or female), so both male and female plants are generally required for fruit production.
Flowering season:
In South Africa, it generally flowers during the warmer months, primarily from spring to autumn (around September to May), often with peak flowering in summer.
Fruits:
The fruits are small, spherical, fleshy drupes, about 5-8 mm in diameter. They are initially green, ripening to a distinctive bright red, shiny, and cherry-like appearance. They are produced in abundance along the flower stalks and are very attractive to birds.
Seeds:
Each fruit contains a single, hard, dark brown seed. The seeds are dispersed by birds.
Bark:
The bark on young stems is smooth and greenish-brown. As the plant matures, the bark on the main stems becomes pale grey or light brown, relatively smooth but can be slightly rough or fissured.
Thorns:
None.
Wood:
The wood is hard, dense, and pale yellowish-brown. It is not typically used for timber due to the size of the plant, but it can be used for small craft items or firewood.
Roots:
It has a fibrous root system that helps it anchor well, particularly in loose sandy soils.
Soil type:
It is highly adapted to coastal environments, thriving in well-drained, sandy soils, including those with some organic matter. It can tolerate salt spray and nutrient-poor conditions.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun to partial shade. It is moderately drought-tolerant once established and highly tolerant of coastal conditions, including salt spray and strong winds. It is sensitive to severe frost, especially when young, but established plants can withstand light to moderate frost.
Edibility:
The ripe fruits are reportedly edible for humans, though they are small and often more popular with birds. They have a sweet-sour taste.
Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic to humans when ripe fruit is consumed in moderation. The leaves and other parts are not typically consumed.
Uses:
Primarily cultivated as an ornamental shrub or small tree in gardens, particularly in coastal areas, due to its attractive glossy foliage and bright red fruits. It is excellent for screening, informal hedging, or as a feature plant in a mixed border. Its resilience to coastal conditions makes it a valuable plant for dune stabilisation and rehabilitation projects. The fruits attract a variety of birds.
Ecology:
The tiny, scented flowers of Allophylus natalensis attract various insect pollinators, including bees and flies. The bright red, fleshy fruits are a crucial food source for numerous frugivorous (fruit-eating) bird species, such as turacos (louries), bulbuls, starlings, and pigeons, which are vital for seed dispersal. Its dense growth provides good nesting and shelter for small birds and other wildlife in coastal and thicket environments.
Distribution and habitat:
Allophylus natalensis is indigenous to South Africa and is found in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, extending into Mozambique and Eswatini. It typically grows in coastal bush, on sand dunes (hence "Dune False Currant"), in forest margins, and in various thicket types, often in exposed or semi-exposed positions close to the sea. It is a common and important component of the dune vegetation in the Eastern Cape.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Allophylus comes from Greek: "allos" (other or different) and "phylon" (kind or tribe), possibly referring to the variable leaf forms or its relationship to other genera.
The species name natalensis is Latin for "of Natal," referring to its prominent distribution in the KwaZulu-Natal (formerly Natal) province of South Africa.
Common names like "Dune False Currant" refer to its preferred coastal dune habitat and its fruit's resemblance to true currants (Ribes species), though it's not related.
Historical aspects:
As an indigenous shrub or small tree of coastal regions, Allophylus natalensis has long been a natural part of South African dune and forest ecosystems. Its ability to tolerate harsh coastal conditions made it a natural choice for stabilising sandy areas. In horticulture, it is valued for its hardiness, attractive appearance, and ecological benefits (attracting birds). It is an excellent example of an indigenous plant that can replace alien invasive species in coastal landscaping and rehabilitation efforts, contributing to the restoration of natural biodiversity.
Interesting facts:
This plant is a true beach babe! It absolutely thrives in sandy coastal areas and doesn't mind a bit of salty sea spray or strong winds.
Its bright red fruits look just like tiny cherries and are a massive favourite with all sorts of local birds – it's like a free bird feeder for your garden!
While its name includes "False Currant," it's not actually related to the currants you might find in a shop. It's an entirely different (but equally lovely) South African original.
This plant is a fantastic choice if you want to attract wildlife to your garden. Its dense foliage provides shelter, and those berries are a feasting delight for birds!
Growing tips:
Propagation: Easily grown from fresh seed, which should be cleaned of its fleshy outer layer before sowing. Can also be propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings.
Planting: Prefers a sunny to partially shaded position. Essential to plant in well-drained soil, especially sandy soils.
Watering: Water regularly when young to establish. Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant and very well-suited to coastal conditions, benefiting from occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.
Frost Protection: Protect young plants from severe frost. Mature plants can tolerate light to moderate frost.
Pruning: Responds well to pruning to maintain a bushy shape, encourage denser growth, or to manage its size as a screen or informal hedge.
Uses in garden: Excellent for coastal gardens, dune rehabilitation, as a screen or informal hedge, in mixed borders, or as a small specimen tree.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Plant family (derivation)