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Cape Sumach
Colpoon compressum
SA tree no: 99
English: Cape Sumach, Coast Tannin Bush, Barkbush, Cape Tannin Bush, Coastal Tannin-bush, Wild Plum
Afrikaans: Wildepruim, Wurgbessie, Basbessie, Kuslooibas, Namtarri, Pruimbas, Basbessieboom, Basbos, Bergbas, Bergbasboom, Bergbasbos, Bergpruim, Bergpruimbos, Bessiebas, Bessiebasboom, Bessiebasbos, Hottentotspruim, Granaatbessie
Xhosa: mTekaaza, umBalanythi, Intekaza
Zulu: umBulanyathi, Ingondotha-mpethe, Intshakasa
Historical scientific names: Osyris compressa, Fusanus compressus, Thesium colpoon, Euonymus colpoon
Colpoon compressum, commonly known as Cape Sumach or Wildepruim, is an intriguing indigenous evergreen shrub or small tree. It is a hemiparasitic plant, meaning it can photosynthesize its own food but also derives some nutrients and water from the roots of nearby host plants. It is valued for its dense, blue-green foliage, small inconspicuous flowers, and edible red berries, making it a robust and ecologically important species in its coastal and fynbos habitats.
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Distinguishing features:
Evergreen, stiff, leathery, blue-green leaves, often with a grey bloom, arranged opposite or sub-opposite, and crowded up the stem.
Hemiparasitic lifestyle, attaching to the roots of other plants.
Small, inconspicuous, greenish-cream flowers.
Small, fleshy, oval fruits that ripen from green to bright red, then purplish-black.
Often found in coastal fynbos and dune systems.
Overall appearance:
Colpoon compressum is a compact, bushy shrub or small tree with a dense, rounded crown of striking blue-green foliage. Its leathery leaves give it a robust appearance, well-suited to exposed environments. While its flowers are not showy, the vibrant red fruits are a beautiful highlight, providing splashes of colour against the dense evergreen leaves.
Height:
Typically grows as a shrub 1 to 5 metres tall, but can sometimes reach a small bushy tree size.
Width:
Forms a compact to spreading crown, usually 1 to 3 metres wide.
Leaves:
The leaves are opposite (though sometimes sub-opposite or even appearing alternate on the same specimen due to variations), stiff, erect, and crowded along the stems. They are broadly elliptic to oval, typically 1-5 cm long and 1-2.7 cm wide, with a pointed or blunt apex and a wedge-shaped base. They are tough, leathery, and a distinctive blue-green colour with a waxy, greyish bloom (glaucous). The margins are entire (smooth) and often slightly rolled under.
Flowers:
The flowers are very small and inconspicuous, measuring about 2-3 mm across. They are greenish-cream to yellowish, with 4-6 tepals (petal-like sepals). They are borne in small, delicate, axillary (in leaf axils) or terminal clusters. The flowers are typically hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive parts, and are slightly scented.
Flowering season:
Flowers and fruits are produced erratically throughout the year, but mainly from April to December, with peak flowering often occurring from July to November.
Fruits:
The fruit is a small, fleshy, oval to subglobose drupe, typically 1-1.7 cm long and 1-1.2 cm wide. It ripens from green to bright, shiny red, then turns dark purplish-black when fully mature. Each fruit contains a single, relatively large seed and has a sweet, dark, plum-like flavour. The fruits are produced in abundance.
Seeds:
Each fruit contains a single, dark, rounded to oval seed, usually 6-8 mm long. Seeds are dispersed by birds and other animals.
Bark/Stems:
The bark is smooth, greyish, sometimes becoming slightly scaly with age. The young stems are often reddish-brown and smooth.
Thorns:
None.
Wood:
The wood is heavy, fine-grained, and durable. Due to the small size of the tree, it is typically only suitable for small ornamental items, carvings, or fancy work.
Roots:
It has a root system that forms attachments to the roots of nearby host plants to draw water and nutrients. While it can survive independently, it thrives when able to parasitise other plants.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable to a range of well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It tolerates acidic, alkaline, and neutral pH levels. It is particularly successful in sandy conditions, especially in coastal dune systems.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun and is exceptionally tolerant of coastal conditions, including strong winds, salt spray, and sandy soils. It is also hardy to moderate frost. Its leathery leaves are well-adapted to withstand heat and wind.
Ediblity:
The ripe fruits are edible for humans. They have a sweet and dark, plum-like flavour. They were an important food source for early inhabitants of the Cape.
Toxicity:
No known toxicity to humans. The fruits are safely edible.
Uses:
Ecological: Very important as a pioneer species and soil stabiliser in coastal dune systems and fynbos, helping to prevent erosion. Its hemiparasitic nature gives it an advantage in harsh environments.
Ornamental: An attractive and hardy shrub or small tree suitable for coastal gardens, fynbos gardens, and general landscaping where a tough, evergreen plant is desired. It provides year-round interest with its foliage and colourful fruits.
Traditional/Historical: Historically, the fresh leaves were used to tan leather a light brown colour, while the bark was used for dark brown tanning (hence "Coast Tannin Bush"). The edible fruits were a food source.
Wildlife: The fruits attract and feed many different bird species, ensuring effective seed dispersal. The scented flowers attract a variety of insect pollinators. It is also a food plant for the larvae of the Common Dotted Border butterfly (Mylothris agathina).
Ecology:
As a hemiparasite, Colpoon compressum forms root connections (haustoria) with nearby host plants, from which it draws water and nutrients. It is not entirely dependent on its hosts and can survive on its own if a host dies. The scented flowers attract a range of insect pollinators, including bees, butterflies, flies, and ants. The abundant, brightly coloured fruits are a major food source for numerous bird species, crucial for seed dispersal. It plays an important role in the biodiversity of fynbos and coastal ecosystems.
Distribution and habitat:
Colpoon compressum is widely distributed along the coastal and inland slopes of South Africa, from Namaqualand and the Cederberg in the Western Cape, along the south and east coast to Kosi Bay in KwaZulu-Natal. Its range extends into associated biomes such as mountain and coastal fynbos, as well as some savanna habitats. It thrives in sandy conditions and is a significant component of coastal dune systems.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Colpoon is derived from the Greek word 'kolpos', meaning 'bosom' or 'fold', possibly referring to the shape of the leaves or how they are arranged.
The species epithet compressum is Latin for 'compressed' or 'flattened', likely referring to the somewhat compressed form of the leaves or perhaps the fruit.
The common name "Cape Sumach" refers to its occurrence in the Cape region and its historical use for tanning, similar to some sumac species (though it's not a true sumac, which belongs to the Anacardiaceae family).
"Wildepruim" (Wild Plum) describes its edible, plum-like fruit.
Historical aspects:
Colpoon compressum has a long history of use by early inhabitants of the Cape, who valued its edible fruits. Its role in tanning leather was also recognised. As a resilient and adaptable species, it has been a consistent feature of the Cape Floristic Region and coastal landscapes, contributing to the stability and biodiversity of these unique ecosystems. Its hemiparasitic nature has fascinated botanists for centuries.
Interesting facts:
This plant is a "part-time parasite"! It can make its own food, but it also taps into the roots of other plants to get extra water and nutrients.
Its bright red fruits are edible and surprisingly tasty, with a sweet, plum-like flavour. They were a favourite snack for early Cape inhabitants.
Even though its flowers are tiny, they attract a variety of insects, and its fruits are a feast for many bird species, making it a great wildlife garden plant.
It's incredibly tough and loves the coast, happily growing in sandy dunes and shrugging off strong winds and salt spray.
Growing tips:
Propagation: Best propagated from fresh seed. Soaking seeds overnight in warm water can aid germination. It's important to sow seeds in situ (where they are to grow) or with potential host plants nearby, as its hemiparasitic nature makes propagation challenging in isolation. Cuttings are generally not successful.
Light: Requires full sun for optimal growth and fruit production.
Watering: Once established, it is very drought-tolerant. Water regularly during establishment, but then reduce frequency.
Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy soils. It is very adaptable to a range of soil types and pH.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. No significant pruning is typically required, other than shaping if desired.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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