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Cape Ash
Ekebergia capensis
SA tree no: 298
English: Cape Ash, Dog Plum, Cape Dogwood
Afrikaans: Essehout, Kaapse Essehout, Hondekos
Xhosa: Umgwenya-lambomvu, Umnyamathi
Zulu: Umnyamathi, Umgwenya-lambomvu, Umnyamathi omkhulu
N. Sotho: Mmidibidi
Swati: Umnyamatsi
Tsonga: Nyamaru
Venda: Mutavhaphasi
Historical scientific names: Ekebergia buchananii, Ekebergia meyeri
Ekebergia capensis, commonly known as the Cape Ash or Dog Plum, is a stately indigenous evergreen or semi-deciduous tree native to the diverse forests and woodlands of South Africa. This handsome tree is highly valued for its attractive glossy, dark green foliage, delicate panicles of fragrant white flowers, and abundant clusters of small, fleshy red fruits that are a magnet for birds.
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Distinguishing features
A medium to large tree with a dense, rounded crown and a straight trunk.
Features large, compound leaves composed of numerous glossy, dark green leaflets.
Produces sprays of small, fragrant white flowers in summer.
Bears clusters of small, round, fleshy red fruits that ripen in autumn/winter.
Often seen in forest margins, riverine forests, and coastal bush.
Overall appearance:
Ekebergia capensis is a medium to large, handsome tree with a dense, rounded crown. It can be evergreen in warm, high rainfall areas or semi-deciduous to deciduous in drier or colder regions. It typically has a straight, often unbranched trunk in forest settings.
Height:
Usually grows between 5 and 15 metres tall, but can reach up to 20 metres or more in protected forest environments.
Width:
The crown can spread significantly, typically 5–10 metres wide, providing excellent shade.
Leaves:
Large, compound (imparipinnate), consisting of 3 to 7 pairs of leaflets plus a terminal leaflet.
Each leaflet is oblong to elliptic, glossy dark green above and paler below, with entire margins.
Leaflets measure 5–12 cm long.
New leaves often emerge with an attractive reddish tinge.
Flowers:
Small, inconspicuous, greenish-white or creamy-white, and strongly fragrant.
They are borne in large, loose, branched clusters (panicles) in the leaf axils.
Ekebergia capensis is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. For fruit production, both male and female trees need to be present.
Flowering season:
Flowers profusely in summer, generally from October to February.
Fruits:
Small, round, fleshy berries (drupes), about 1 cm in diameter.
They ripen to a bright red or deep reddish-orange colour, creating a vibrant display.
Each fruit contains 2–4 seeds.
They are edible, though somewhat acidic, and are a favourite food for many bird species. Fruits ripen from autumn to winter, generally from April to August.
Seeds:
Small, hard, blackish seeds are contained within the fleshy fruit. Propagation is primarily from fresh seeds.
Bark:
Smooth and pale grey on young trees, becoming darker grey and fissured with age, sometimes with horizontal rings.
Stems:
The trunk is typically straight, unbranched for a considerable height in forest settings, and can become quite stout. Branches form a dense, rounded crown.
Wood:
The wood is light, soft, and easy to work with, but not very durable. It is creamy-white to yellowish and is used for furniture, planks, and general carpentry. It is also used for canoes.
Roots:
Possesses a non-aggressive root system, making it suitable for planting relatively close to buildings or paving. It has good soil-binding properties.
Soil type:
Prefers well-drained, fertile soils rich in organic matter. It tolerates a range of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to semi-shade. It is moderately frost-tolerant once established but may need protection when young. It is also quite drought-tolerant once mature, but performs best with adequate moisture.
Edibility:
The ripe red fruits are edible and enjoyed by humans, though they can be quite acidic. They are more frequently consumed by birds.
Uses:
Ornamental & Shade Tree: An excellent choice for gardens, parks, and urban environments due to its attractive foliage, dense shade, and neat growth habit.
Wildlife Garden: A highly valuable bird-attracting tree due to its abundant, attractive, and edible fruits. It also provides nesting sites.
Timber: The wood is used for furniture, planks, general carpentry, and canoes, though it is not highly durable.
Traditional Medicine: Various parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine for treating ailments like headaches, fever, colds, skin eruptions, and as an emetic.
Street Tree: Suitable as a street tree in areas with sufficient space.
Ecology:
Birds: The bright red fruits are a major food source for a wide variety of fruit-eating birds, including barbets, turacos (louries), starlings, bulbuls, and pigeons, making it an excellent bird-attracting tree. Birds are crucial for seed dispersal.
Insects: The fragrant flowers attract pollinating insects, including bees.
Habitat: Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and other small animals within its dense canopy.
Distribution and habitat:
Ekebergia capensis is widely distributed throughout the eastern and southern parts of South Africa, extending northwards into tropical Africa.
South African Provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Western Cape (though less common in drier parts).
Habitat: Typically found in coastal and evergreen forests, riverine fringes, bushveld, and wooded grasslands. It prefers areas with good rainfall.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Ekebergia honours Carl Gustav Ekeberg (1716–1784), a Swedish sea captain and botanist who travelled to China.
The species epithet capensis is Latin for "from the Cape," referring to its origin in the Cape region of South Africa.
The common name "Dog Plum" likely refers to the fruit's resemblance to a plum and its consumption by various animals (including perhaps dogs, historically, or generally meaning "for animals").
Historical aspects:
The Cape Ash has long been a significant tree in Southern African ecosystems and for human communities. Its fruits have been a traditional food source for both people and wildlife, and its wood has been used for various purposes. Its role in traditional medicine highlights its long-standing cultural importance. Early European settlers also recognised its value for timber.
Interesting facts
This tree is like a five-star restaurant for birds – its red fruits are a massive hit with feathered friends, turning your garden into a bird-watching paradise!
It's called "Cape Ash" because its leaves look a bit like the European Ash, even though they're not related – it's all about that leafy resemblance!
You might find new leaves on this tree showing off a cool reddish colour before turning green, giving it an extra splash of beauty!
Growing tips
Propagation: Best propagated from fresh seeds. Clean the seeds thoroughly after removing them from the ripe fruit. Sow in a well-drained, sandy loam mix. Germination can be slow and may require patience.
Cuttings: Rooting from cuttings can be difficult but is possible with semi-hardwood cuttings and rooting hormone, especially under mist conditions.
Planting: Plant in a sunny to semi-shady position. Ensure adequate space for its mature size, especially its spreading crown.
Soil: Prefers fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Add compost to the planting hole.
Watering: Water regularly when young to ensure establishment. Once mature, it is fairly drought-tolerant but will benefit from occasional deep watering during dry spells.
Frost: Protect young plants from severe frost for the first few years.
Maintenance: Generally low maintenance. Can be pruned to shape if desired, but typically forms a beautiful natural shape.
Note:
The Cape Ash is often confused with the Wild Plum (Harpephyllum caffrum). However, the leaves of wild plum are stiff and not drooping, they are also sickle-shaped.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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