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Wild Peach
Kiggelaria africana
SA tree no: 494
English: Wild Peach, African Peach, African Dog-rose, Natal Dog-rose
Afrikaans: Wildeperske, Spekhout, Koffiehout
Xhosa: umKokoko, umKhokha, umZongwane, iKhokha
Zulu: uMunwe, umKhakhasane, umVethi
N. Sotho: Monepenepe
S. Sotho: Lekgatsi, Motape
Venda: Muphatavhafu, Mutavha
Historical scientific names: Ilex africana, Gynocardia africana, Kiggelaria dregeana, Kiggelaria glandulosa, Kiggelaria integerrima, Kiggelaria lanceolata, Kiggelaria moosa, Kiggelaria ferruginea
Kiggelaria africana, widely known as the Wild Peach, is a robust and widespread indigenous tree in South Africa. It is recognised for its often low-branching habit and its smooth, pale grey bark that becomes rougher with age. The tree's leaves can be quite variable, sometimes resembling those of a peach tree. Its small, yellow-green, bell-shaped flowers bloom in late winter to early summer, preceding its distinctive, hard, knobbly, greenish-yellow capsule-like fruits. These fruits eventually split open to reveal shiny black seeds, each uniquely enclosed in a bright orange-red, oily, and sticky coat.
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Distinguishing features:
Hard, round, knobbly, greenish-yellow fruits that split open into 3-5 valves to reveal bright orange-red, sticky, oily seed coats (arils) surrounding shiny black seeds.
Smooth, pale grey bark on younger trees, becoming rougher and often flaky or corky with age.
Leaves are highly variable in shape, size, and margin, sometimes resembling peach leaves.
Dioecious nature, meaning male and female flowers are found on separate trees.
Attractive to numerous butterfly species as a larval food plant, particularly the Garden Acraea.
Overall appearance:
Kiggelaria africana is a reasonably robust tree that typically grows with a low-branching habit and a rounded, spreading crown. It can be quite variable in its growth form depending on its habitat, ranging from a bushy shrub in exposed areas to a substantial tree in sheltered locations. It is semi-deciduous to evergreen.
Height:
The tree generally reaches a height of 6 to 15 metres, but can sometimes grow up to 20 metres tall under optimal conditions.
Width:
It develops a spreading canopy, typically reaching a width of 3 to 6 metres.
Leaves:
The leaves are extremely variable, which can sometimes make identification challenging. They are simple, alternate, and can range from oblong, lanceolate, or ovate to elliptic. Their margins can be smooth (entire), serrated (toothed), or wavy, and they can be hairless or slightly hairy, especially on the underside. They are typically bright green and glossy above, paler below, and can measure from 4 to 15 cm in length and 1.5 to 7 cm in width. Young leaves often have a reddish tinge.
Flowers:
The flowers are small, inconspicuous, and bell-shaped, measuring about 5 mm in diameter. They are typically yellow-green and are borne in the leaf axils. Kiggelaria africana is dioecious, meaning individual trees bear either male or female flowers, but not both. Male flowers usually occur in small clusters, while female flowers are solitary or in groups of two or three.
Flowering season:
The tree flowers from August to January. Given the current location of Kenton-on-Sea, Eastern Cape, this means it is currently (June) at the very end of its flowering season or has recently finished.
Fruits:
The fruits are distinctive. They are hard, round, and knobbly capsules, about 2.5 to 4 cm in diameter, and are greenish-yellow when unripe. They form from February to July (ripening towards winter). Upon maturity, the capsule splits open into 3 to 5 (usually 4) woody valves, resembling a star shape, to expose the bright orange-red, sticky seeds.
Seeds:
Each fruit valve contains shiny black seeds, typically 3 to 5 per valve. Each seed is largely covered by a thick, oily, sticky, and fleshy bright orange-red aril (seed coat), which is highly attractive to birds.
Bark:
The bark is smooth and pale grey on young trees, but as the tree matures, it becomes rougher, darker, and sometimes flaky or corky in texture.
Stems:
Young branchlets can sometimes be reddish or purplish. The branches are often low-set, contributing to the tree's spreading habit.
Wood:
The wood is described as hardish, pink-brown, and strong, making it a useful general-purpose timber. It has historically been used for furniture, wagons, and implements.
Roots:
The root system is generally non-invasive, making it suitable for planting closer to structures or paving compared to some other tree species.
Soil type:
This tree is highly adaptable and can grow in various soil types, from sandy to loamy or even clay soils, provided they are well-drained. It prefers fertile soils but can tolerate less ideal conditions.
Aspect:
It thrives in full sun to semi-shade conditions. Once established, it is remarkably frost-hardy and can withstand moderate frost, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across South Africa. It is also wind-tolerant.
Edibility:
While the fruit is eaten by birds, the seeds are known to be poisonous to humans if ingested. Therefore, it is not considered edible for human consumption.
Toxicity:
The seeds of Kiggelaria africana are poisonous to humans if ingested. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The leaves and other parts of the plant are generally considered safe, but caution should be exercised, especially with children.
Uses:
Horticultural: An excellent garden specimen, shade tree, screen, or windbreak. It is also suitable for street planting and container growing when young.
Wildlife Attraction: Highly valued for attracting birds, which feed on the oily, orange-red arils. It is a critical larval host plant for numerous butterfly species, most notably the Garden Acraea butterfly (Acraea horta).
Timber: The hardish, pink-brown wood is used as a general-purpose timber for furniture, wagons, and implements.
Traditional Medicine: Historically, various parts of the tree have been used in traditional medicine for a range of ailments, including skin complaints, sprains, and even as a purgative.
Ecology:
Kiggelaria africana plays a vital ecological role. Its bright orange-red arils are a significant food source for many bird species, including Cape White-eyes, starlings, bulbuls, and barbets, which aid in seed dispersal. It is particularly important as a larval food plant for several butterfly species, including the Garden Acraea (Acraea horta), Bat-winged Acraea (Acraea zetes), and Common Leopard Fritillary (Phalanta phalantha). The tree also attracts various insects, supporting a healthy garden ecosystem.
Distribution and habitat:
This is a very widespread and adaptable tree found throughout a large part of Africa, from Kenya in the north down to the Western Cape in South Africa. In South Africa, it is widely distributed across almost all provinces, including the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, and Western Cape. It grows in diverse habitats, including coastal and inland forests, bushveld, woodland, along streams, and on rocky hillsides, indicating its adaptability to various environmental conditions.
Derivation of name:
Kiggelaria: The genus name honours Franz Kiggelaer (1648-1722), a Dutch botanist who was the Curator of Simon van Beaumont's garden and published a catalogue of its plants.
africana: The specific epithet is Latin for 'from Africa', indicating its widespread distribution across the continent.
Historical aspects:
Kiggelaria africana has a long history of use in traditional African medicine by various indigenous communities for a range of ailments. Its timber has been valued for centuries due to its strength and versatility in crafting furniture and tools. The tree's aesthetic appeal and ecological importance have also led to its widespread cultivation in gardens and for revegetation projects in modern times.
Interesting facts:
It's known as the "Wild Peach" because some of its leaves can look uncannily like those of a peach tree, even though they're not related!
Its fruits are like little natural fireworks! When they ripen, they burst open into a star shape, revealing bright orange-red, jelly-like seeds that are super sticky.
This tree is a vital "butterfly nursery" – it's the favourite snack for the caterpillars of the common Garden Acraea butterfly, so if you see chewed leaves, you know you're doing something right for the environment!
Birds absolutely love the bright orange-red seeds, making the Wild Peach a fantastic tree to attract feathered friends to your garden.
Despite its somewhat delicate appearance, it's a very tough tree, tolerant of both wind and frost once it's settled in.
Growing tips:
Light: Plant in full sun to semi-shade for optimal growth.
Soil: Adaptable to various soil types, but thrives in well-drained, fertile soil. Ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging.
Watering: Water regularly during its establishment phase (first year). Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant but will benefit from occasional deep watering during prolonged dry spells.
Propagation: Easily propagated from fresh seeds, which germinate readily. Cuttings can also be used, though they may be more challenging.
Growth Rate: It is a relatively fast-growing tree, especially when young, making it a good choice for quick establishment.
Hardiness: It is quite hardy and can withstand moderate frost once mature and established. Young plants may need protection in very cold areas.
Pruning: Prune to shape the tree or remove any dead or damaged branches. It can be trained as a single-stemmed tree or allowed to branch low for a more bushy form.
Uses in the garden: Excellent for creating a screen, windbreak, or as a shade tree. Its non-invasive root system makes it suitable for street planting or near buildings.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Achariaceae (Erik Acharius (1757–1819)) - Order: Malpighiales