textAdminOnlyNameForClipboard
Pompom Tree
Dais cotinifolia
SA tree no: 521
English: Pompom Tree, Pincushion Tree, Honeysuckle Tree
Afrikaans: Kannabas, Speldekussing, Speldekussingboom, Basboom
Xhosa: iNtozani, iPece
Zulu: iNtozwane-emnyama, umQala
Dais cotinifolia, widely known as the Pompom Tree, is a beautiful, small to medium-sized deciduous tree or large shrub celebrated for its spectacular display of profuse, pink, pompom-like flower heads in early summer. It is a striking addition to any garden, providing lovely dappled shade and vibrant colour.
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
Produces abundant, fluffy, spherical flower heads resembling pompoms, ranging from pale pink to lilac-pink.
Has attractive, opposite, oval to almost round leaves that turn clear yellow in autumn before falling.
Features smooth, light grey-brown bark on older stems, which is tough and fibrous.
Grows with a neat, rounded crown, making it an excellent specimen tree.
Is deciduous, losing its leaves in winter.
Overall appearance:
Dais cotinifolia is a graceful, upright, deciduous tree or large shrub with a neat, rounded crown. It is highly ornamental, especially when covered in its distinctive pompom-like flowers.
Height:
Typically grows to a height of 4 to 7 metres, but can reach up to 12 metres under ideal conditions.
Width:
Spreads to a width of 3 to 5 metres, forming a relatively broad, rounded canopy.
Leaves:
The leaves are simple, opposite, and broadly oval to almost round (cotinifolia means 'with leaves like Cotinus'). They are a fresh, bright green colour with translucent yellow veins during spring and summer, turning an attractive clear yellow in autumn before dropping. Each leaf measures about 3-7 cm in length and 2-5 cm in width.
Flowers:
The most prominent feature. Flowers are borne in dense, spherical, terminal heads, resembling small pompoms or pincushions, measuring 2-4 cm in diameter. They are a beautiful pale pink to lilac-pink colour and are very fragrant. The flowers are bisexual, containing both male and female parts.
Flowering season:
Blooms prolifically in early summer, typically around Christmas time, from November to January.
Fruits:
After flowering, the flower heads dry out and persist on the tree, turning light brown. They contain tiny, black, ellipsoid seeds enclosed within the persistent papery bracts of the flower head.
Seeds:
Tiny, black, and ellipsoid, contained within the dried flower heads.
Bark:
The bark is smooth and light grey-brown, becoming slightly fissured with age. The inner bark is fibrous and very tough, similar to string.
Stems:
Stems are relatively slender, branching to form the rounded crown. The young branches are smooth.
Wood:
The wood is light-coloured and relatively soft.
Roots:
Has a non-aggressive root system, making it suitable for planting closer to structures or paving than many other trees.
Soil type:
Adaptable to a variety of soil types, but prefers well-drained, fertile soil. It can tolerate clay and sandy soils.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to light shade. Best flowering occurs in full sun.
Edibility:
No information found regarding the edibility of any parts of Dais cotinifolia.
Toxicity:
No information found regarding the toxicity of Dais cotinifolia.
Uses:
Ornamental: Widely planted as a feature tree in gardens, parks, and along streets due to its stunning floral display, attractive foliage, and neat growth habit.
Traditional Medicine: The fibrous bark has been used in traditional medicine for various ailments, including dysentery and stomach complaints.
Fibre: The tough inner bark can be used to make string or rope, which gave rise to its Afrikaans common name "Kannabas" (meaning "can be bark" or "bark that can be used").
Ecology:
The abundant, fragrant flowers are highly attractive to bees and other pollinating insects, making it a valuable addition to a pollinator-friendly garden. While specific bird or mammal interactions are not widely detailed, the insects it attracts would, in turn, provide food for insectivorous birds.
Distribution and habitat:
Dais cotinifolia is indigenous to the eastern part of South Africa, found in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Free State, and Gauteng provinces. It typically grows on forest margins, wooded hill slopes, and in stony kloofs.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Dais is derived from the Greek word 'dais', meaning "torch" or "tinder," referring to the ease with which its fibrous bark can be ignited.
The specific epithet cotinifolia is Latin, meaning "with leaves like Cotinus," referring to the similarity of its leaves to those of the Smoke Tree (Cotinus coggygria).
Common names like "Pompom Tree" directly describe its distinctive spherical flower heads.
The Afrikaans name "Kannabas" refers to the usefulness of its bark.
Historical aspects:
The Pompom Tree has long been admired for its beauty and has been cultivated in gardens for many decades. Its traditional uses, particularly the fibrous bark for making rope, reflect the deep botanical knowledge of indigenous communities in Southern Africa.
Interesting facts
Imagine a tree that looks like it's been decorated with hundreds of fluffy, pink fairy floss balls – that's the Pompom Tree in full bloom!
Its tough inner bark is so strong, it was traditionally used to make string and rope – talk about a natural multi-tool!
This tree is super popular with bees, making it a bustling hub for pollinators when its flowers burst open in summer.
It's often called the "Christmas tree" in some parts of South Africa because it typically explodes into flower around the festive season!
Growing tips
Plant in a sunny to lightly shaded spot for the best flowering display.
Ensure the soil is well-drained, although it's quite adaptable to different soil types, including sandy or clay soils.
Water regularly during its first few years to help it establish, especially during dry periods.
Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant and also frost-hardy, making it a robust choice for many South African gardens.
No significant pruning is usually required, other than to shape it or remove any dead branches.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Thymelaeaceae (poison olive) - Order: Malvales