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Cape Saffron
Cassine peragua
SA tree no: 414
English: Cape Saffron, Bastard Saffron, False Saffron, Bastard Saffronwood, Forest Spoonwood, Spoonwood
Afrikaans: Bastersaffraan, Lepelhout
Xhosa: iKhukhuzi
Zulu: umKhukhuze, umBofanyamogone
Historical scientific names: Cassine colpoon, Cassine kraussiana, Elaeodendron kraussianum, Elaeodendron ilicifolium
Subspecies: Cassine peragua subsp. peragua, Cassine peragua subsp. barbara, Cassine peragua subsp. affinis
Cassine peragua, commonly known as Cape Saffron or Bastersaffraan, is a charming evergreen indigenous shrub or small to medium-sized tree. It is most notable for its unique saffron-coloured trunk that develops with age, as well as its tough, glossy dark green leaves, small fragrant white flowers, and decorative purple-black fruits. It's a hardy and attractive addition to various garden styles.
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Distinguishing features:
Characteristic saffron-yellow coloured bark on mature trunks, which flakes off to reveal the inner colour.
Tough, leathery, dark green, often glossy leaves with finely serrated or entire margins.
Small, inconspicuous, fragrant white flowers in clusters.
Small, round, berry-like fruits that ripen from green to dark purple or black.
Forms a rounded crown and can have multi-coloured foliage, with new growth often appearing copper-coloured.
Overall appearance:
The Cape Saffron (Cassine peragua) is a handsome evergreen shrub or small tree, renowned for its distinctive, often crooked, saffron-coloured trunk that becomes more pronounced with age as the grey outer bark flakes away. It features a dense canopy of tough, glossy dark green leaves, which sometimes show coppery new growth, and produces delicate clusters of small, fragrant white flowers followed by attractive purple-black berries.
Height:
Usually 2 to 5 metres tall as a shrub or small tree, but can reach up to 15 metres in ideal, sheltered forest conditions.
Width:
Typically spreads to a width of 1.5 to 4 metres, forming a dense, rounded crown.
Leaves:
The leaves are opposite or sub-opposite, simple, tough, thick, and leathery, varying from elliptic to almost round or obovate, typically 2-4.5 cm long and 1.5-4 cm wide. They are glossy dark green above and paler beneath, with a rounded or slightly notched tip. The margins can be entire or irregularly and finely serrated. New foliage often emerges with coppery, orange, or scarlet tints before maturing to dark green. The venation is often conspicuous.
Flowers:
The flowers are small (up to 4 mm in diameter), star-shaped, with four white to creamy-white petals. They are borne in loose, branching clusters (cymes) in the leaf axils. The flowers have a pleasant, strong fragrance. Cassine peragua flowers are bisexual (hermaphroditic), containing both male and female reproductive parts.
Flowering season:
It primarily flowers from late summer through autumn and into winter (around February to June).
Fruits:
The fruit is a small, fleshy, rounded to oval berry, about 3-5 mm in diameter. It ripens from green to yellow, then reddish-purple, and finally dark purple to black when mature. Each fruit usually contains 1 or 2 seeds, though occasionally up to 6. They are attractive to birds but are not edible for humans.
Seeds:
The small seeds are embedded in the fleshy pulp of the fruit. They are typically dispersed by birds.
Bark/Stems:
The bark is initially greyish-brown and smooth, but on mature trunks, it becomes flaky, peeling off in thin scales to reveal the distinctive saffron-yellow or orange-yellow pigment in the underlying layers. This gives the trunk a beautiful, mottled, saffron colour. The trunks are often crooked.
Thorns:
None.
Wood:
The wood is yellowish, hard, tough, and fine-grained. Historically, it was highly valued by cabinet-makers and wheelwrights for furniture, tools, and sticks. It was also used to make large ladles (hence "Lepelhout" in Afrikaans, meaning "spoon-wood").
Roots:
It has a strong, fibrous root system that helps it anchor in various soil types and tolerate wind.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, and even rocky or poor soils. It can tolerate a range of pH levels.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. In exposed, windy coastal gardens or direct sun, it tends to grow shorter, denser, and more compact. It is very tough and wind-resistant. It is also moderately frost-tolerant, especially mature plants, though young plants may need protection.
Ediblity:
The fruits are not edible for humans. There are reports that the leaves may be toxic.
Toxicity:
The leaves are thought to be toxic and have reportedly caused deaths in animals in trials. It is crucial to note that while the fruits attract birds, they should not be consumed by humans.
Uses:
Primarily cultivated as an attractive ornamental garden tree or large shrub, valued for its distinctive saffron-coloured trunk, dense foliage, and decorative fruits. It makes an excellent specimen tree, an informal hedge, or a screen. Its tough nature makes it suitable for wind-exposed positions. Historically, its hard wood was used for various wooden implements and furniture.
Ecology:
The small, fragrant flowers attract a variety of insect pollinators, including bees. The abundant, dark purple-black fruits are a significant food source for numerous bird species, including turacos (loeries), barbets, starlings, bulbuls, and other frugivorous birds, which are essential for seed dispersal. The dense foliage provides good nesting sites and shelter for birds. Its ecological role in supporting local biodiversity, particularly in forest margins and coastal scrub, is notable.
Distribution and habitat:
Cassine peragua is widely distributed throughout the southern and eastern parts of South Africa, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and Northern Cape provinces. It also extends into Eswatini. It grows in a wide variety of habitats, from deep Afromontane forests and forest margins to coastal dunes, rocky mountain slopes, and along streams.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Cassine is derived from "kassine," a Greek name for a plant that resembles a holly, or possibly from an indigenous name.
The species epithet peragua is thought to be derived from an indigenous name for the tree, likely from the Khoi language.
The common name "Cape Saffron" refers to its saffron-coloured trunk, particularly prominent in the Cape region. "Bastard Saffronwood" likely distinguishes it from true saffronwood (Elaeodendron croceum), which also has a yellowish bark.
"Lepelhout" (Afrikaans for "spoon-wood") refers to the historical use of its wood for making spoons or ladles.
Historical aspects:
Cassine peragua has been valued in the Cape region for centuries, particularly for its beautiful and durable wood. During the time of Jan van Riebeeck and later, its wood was used by early settlers for furniture, wagon parts, and various implements, including large ladles. Its hardiness and distinctive appearance have also made it a long-standing favourite in South African gardens. Its presence in diverse habitats highlights its adaptability and resilience within the Fynbos, forest, and coastal ecosystems.
Interesting facts:
This tree has a secret: its grey bark flakes off to reveal a stunning saffron-yellow trunk underneath, making it look like it's glowing!
Even though its flowers are tiny, they pack a punch with a lovely, strong fragrance that you might catch on the breeze.
Its wood was so good that early settlers used it to make spoons and other wooden items – it's tougher than it looks!
While birds absolutely love its purple-black berries (they look like little grapes!), remember these fruits are just for our feathered friends, not for us humans!
Growing tips:
Propagation: Can be propagated from fresh seed, though germination can be slow and irregular. Cuttings can also be attempted.
Planting: Prefers a sunny to lightly shaded position. Adaptable to most well-drained soil types.
Watering: Water regularly during establishment. Once established, it is fairly drought-tolerant and requires moderate watering.
Frost Protection: Moderately frost-tolerant. Young plants may benefit from protection in very cold areas.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Prune to shape or to remove any dead or overgrown branches. It forms a neat, rounded crown with minimal intervention. Avoid planting near paving or decks if the staining from fallen berries is a concern.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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