textAdminOnlyNameForClipboard
Common Bush-cherry
Maerua afra
SA tree no: 133
English: Common Bush-cherry, White-wood, Bush-cherry, Spiderbush, Christmas Flower
Afrikaans: Witbos, Gewone Witbos, Lemoentjie, Wilde-bashout, Wildeboshout, Witbas, Witbashout, Witboom, Witboshout, Without
Xhosa: Umphunzisa, Umphunziso, Umqomoqomo
Zulu: Umenwayo, Untswantswane
Historical scientific names: Maerua cafra, Capparis triphylla, Maerua triphylla, Niebuhria cafra, Niebuhria triphylla
Maerua afra, often known as the Common Bush-cherry or White-wood, is an appealing evergreen shrub or small tree. It is characterised by its light-coloured trunk and clusters of fragrant white flowers that appear in early spring. These unique flowers feature numerous slender stamens that give them a distinctive spider-like appearance. The plant is followed by oval, plum-like edible fruits.
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:
White, scented flowers that are predominantly composed of numerous spreading stamens, giving them a spider-like look, as they lack petals.
A light-coloured, mottled bark that often reveals different hues.
Leaves are typically compound with three leaflets, although occasionally four or five may be present.
The fruit is oval and plum-like, remaining green even when ripe but becoming soft and sweet-smelling.
Overall appearance:
Maerua afra is a highly variable evergreen shrub or small tree. Its form ranges from a low bush in dry, coastal dune environments to a tree that can reach up to 9 metres in height where conditions are more favourable. It typically features a straight trunk and has a distinctively light-coloured, mottled bark.
Height:
This plant can grow to a height of 2 to 9 metres, with some instances reaching up to 10 metres, depending on the local environmental conditions and habitat.
Width:
The trunk can measure up to 24 centimetres in diameter. Specific information regarding the overall width of the plant's crown was not detailed.
Leaves:
The leaves are alternate, compound, and usually consist of three leaflets (trifoliate), though sometimes four or five leaflets can be present. Each leaflet is elliptic to obovate or lanceolate, measuring up to 7.5 cm in length and 3.5 cm in width. The central leaflet is typically the longest. They are hairless, with a papery to slightly leathery texture, dark green on the upper surface and paler beneath. The petiole (leaf stalk) can be up to 60 mm long and is grooved, while the petiolules (leaflet stalks) are short, up to 5 mm.
Flowers:
The scented flowers are borne in terminal clusters. They are bisexual and radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), notably lacking petals. Their main feature is a prominent tuft of 35-45 spreading white stamens, each up to 3 cm long and tipped with green, which gives them their characteristic spider-like appearance.
Flowering season:
Flowers appear in early spring, typically from August to October in South Africa.
Fruits:
The fruits are oval and plum-like, measuring up to 45 mm long (or 4.5 x 3 cm). They are pale green with dark green ribs. They ripen between October and December, remaining green but softening and emitting a strong, sweet scent. The fruit initially contains many seeds embedded in a jelly-like pulp.
Seeds:
The fruit contains numerous seeds, initially embedded in a jelly-like pulp. Detailed descriptions of the seeds themselves were not explicitly available.
Bark:
The bark is white to dark grey and is notably mottled, featuring areas of different colours that do not form a regular pattern. Younger branchlets are yellowish to grey-green and have conspicuous, raised, light-coloured lenticels (small pores that allow for gas exchange).
Stems:
The young branches are angular, hairless, and have a yellowish or grey-green colour, dotted with conspicuous, raised, light lenticels.
Wood:
The plant's trunk is light-coloured. The wood has been reported to be brittle and to give off a sickening odour when cut. It is a spineless plant.
Roots:
Maerua afra possesses thick, tuberous roots. Historically, ground roots have been utilised as a substitute for chicory.
Soil type:
It thrives in well-draining sandy and loam soils and exhibits tolerance to nutrient-poor soil conditions.
Aspect:
This plant is highly adaptable to light conditions, growing well in full sun, shade, morning sun (semi-shade), or afternoon sun (semi-shade). In gardens susceptible to cold, it is advisable to plant it in a protected spot.
Edibility:
The fruit is reported to be edible. The ground roots have been traditionally used as a chicory substitute.
Toxicity:
No information suggesting toxicity for humans or animals was found in the provided sources.
Uses:
For humans: The fruit is edible, and the ground roots can be used as a chicory substitute. Although its slow growth and limited nursery availability make it less common in landscape designs, it is well-suited for mixed borders once it reaches an acceptable height.
Ecology: The plant attracts various bird species, which relish its ripe fruit. Its leaves are browsed by game animals. It also serves as a food plant for certain insects, including Pinacopteryx eriphia eriphia and Colotis antevippe gavisa.
Distribution and habitat:
Maerua afra is widely distributed along the eastern side of South Africa, ranging from Humansdorp in the south. It is also found in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West provinces, extending northwards towards Zimbabwe and Mozambique. This highly adaptable species can be found as a low bush on dunes or in dry areas, and as a tree in more favourable conditions. It is common in bushveld regions, wooded grasslands, along forest margins, and in rocky areas.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Maerua has an uncertain origin, possibly derived from Arabic.
The specific epithet cafra is an unusual spelling of "caffra," a term historically used for many plants from the eastern areas of southern Africa, derived from the Hebrew "kafri" meaning "person living on the land."
Maerua afra is now considered a more appropriate botanical name.
Historical aspects:
Beyond its traditional use as a chicory substitute from its roots and its leaves being browsed by game, specific detailed historical uses or events related to Maerua cafra were not extensively documented in the provided information. Its presence in various forest remnants in the Southern Cape suggests it is a long-standing component of the indigenous flora.
Interesting facts:
The unique arrangement of its many slender stamens gives Maerua afra flowers a distinctive spider-like appearance, even though they have no petals!
Despite its slow growth, this plant is a resilient, drought-resistant shrub, making it a hardy choice for challenging environments.
Its fruit, although remaining green, becomes soft and emits a lovely sweet fragrance when ripe, making it a popular treat for many bird species.
The "afra" in its name is a historical nod to its origins from the eastern regions of southern Africa.
Growing tips:
Propagate Maerua afra from fresh seeds, which often have a high germination rate.
Be prepared for slow growth; plants may take 3 to 7 years to reach a height of 1 metre.
When sowing seeds, use a well-drained medium to prevent waterlogging.
This is a drought-resistant shrub once established, requiring minimal water.
If grown in nursery bags, root development may be poor.
It tolerates a wide range of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade (morning or afternoon sun) and even deep shade.
In colder climates, it's beneficial to plant it in a protected spot to shield it from frost.
Regular pruning in late winter or early spring can help maintain its shape, promote air circulation, and encourage vigorous new growth.
Repotting is not frequently required due to its slow growth.
Propagation can also be achieved through cuttings.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Plant family (derivation)