textAdminOnlyNameForClipboard
Forest Elder
Nuxia floribunda
SA tree no: 634
English: Forest Elder, Forest Nuxia, Wild Elder, Kite Tree, White Elder, Wild Peach
Afrikaans: Bosvlier, Vlier, Vlierboom, Vlier Root, Vlierwortel, Wildevlier, Wildevlierboom
Xhosa: iNgqota, isiKhali
Zulu: umHlambandlazi, umDlambandlaze, iThambo, ingobese, isanywana, umKhobeza, umGqwagqu, umLulama, umSumuwembuzi
N. Sotho: Motlhabare
Venda: Mula-notshi; Mpupumwa
Historical scientific names: Lachnopylis floribunda
Bursting into life when many other plants are quiet, the Forest Elder (Nuxia floribunda) is a true spectacle in late autumn. This fast-growing tree or large shrub transforms itself with huge, cloud-like heads of tiny, fragrant, creamy-white flowers that are an absolute magnet for bees and other insects. Usually found on forest margins or along streams, it has light green leaves often arranged in threes, and smoothish, pale bark, making it attractive even when not in flower.
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 masses of small, creamy-white, fragrant flowers packed into large, rounded heads (up to 30 cm across) at the ends of branches.
Main flowering season is winter (May to September in South Africa).
Leaves are usually arranged in whorls of three around the stem (sometimes opposite).
Leaves are relatively thin-textured, light green or yellowish-green, and often slightly drooping.
Bark is pale grey-brown, fairly smooth when young, becoming flaky or cracked with age.
Overall appearance:
A fast-growing, often multi-stemmed large shrub or small to medium-sized tree with a rounded, spreading crown and somewhat drooping foliage. Can look quite ordinary until it flowers, when it becomes spectacular.
Height:
Typically grows between 3 and 10 metres tall, but can reach 20-25 metres in favourable forest environments.
Width:
Develops a spreading crown, often 3 to 7 metres wide.
Leaves:
Simple, usually arranged in whorls of 3 (terante), but sometimes opposite.
They are elliptic to lance-shaped, measuring 4-16 cm long and 1-5 cm wide.
The colour is light green to yellowish-green, often glossy above and paler below.
The leaf texture is relatively thin, and the margins are usually entire (smooth) or sometimes slightly toothed near the tip.
They have distinct petioles (leaf stalks).
Flowers:
The tiny individual flowers (3-4 mm long) are tubular with 4-5 spreading lobes, creamy-white, and very sweetly honey-scented.
They are grouped together in large, much-branched, dense, rounded terminal clusters (panicles) that can be up to 30 cm in diameter.
The flowers are bisexual.
Flowering season:
Flowers profusely in late autumn, winter, and early spring (primarily May to September in South Africa).
Fruits:
Small (2-4 mm long), brownish, egg-shaped, dry capsules form within the persistent papery calyx (the base of the flower). These capsules split open to release numerous minute seeds. The old, brown flower heads can remain on the tree for some time.
Seeds:
Extremely small and fine, like dust, dispersed by wind.
Bark:
Pale grey-brown to yellowish-brown. It is quite smooth on younger stems and branches, but becomes rougher, flaky, or vertically cracked on older trunks, sometimes appearing slightly twisted.
Thorns:
None.
Wood:
Yellowish-white, hard, heavy, strong, and durable with a fine grain. It can be difficult to work.
Roots:
The root system is not considered aggressive.
Soil type:
Prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soils, often found in loam or humus-rich forest soils. It can tolerate poorer soils if sufficient moisture is available.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun, which encourages the best flowering display, but will also grow in light or partial shade, especially when young and establishing in its natural forest habitat.
Toxicity: Parts of the tree, especially the leaves, are reported to be toxic to livestock if ingested. General caution is advisable.
Uses:
The hard wood is suitable for small furniture items, turnery, spoons, implement handles, and makes good firewood.
It's highly valued as an ornamental garden plant due to its spectacular winter flowers and fast growth.
It's an excellent tree for attracting bees (important for honey production) and other insects to the garden.
Used as a pioneer plant to help regenerate forests.
Traditional medicinal uses involve roots and bark for respiratory ailments and digestive issues, but scientific validation may be limited.
Ecology:
A critically important nectar source for honey bees, solitary bees, wasps, flies, beetles, ants, and butterflies during winter when other food sources may be scarce.
This abundance of insects attracts numerous insectivorous birds (like flycatchers and orioles).
Nectar-feeding birds, such as sunbirds, also visit the flowers.
The tiny seeds are dispersed by wind.
As a fast-growing pioneer species, it can quickly colonise disturbed areas on forest margins, facilitating the establishment of other forest species.
Distribution and habitat:
Widely distributed in the higher rainfall areas of eastern South Africa, from the Eastern Cape northwards through KwaZulu-Natal, Eswatini, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and North West province.
It also extends into neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and further north into tropical Africa.
It typically grows in evergreen forests (especially margins and clearings), along stream banks (riverine bush), in wooded ravines (kloofs), and on rocky hillsides where moisture is available.
Derivation of name:
Nuxia honours M. de la Nux, a French botanist who worked on Reunion island in the 18th century.
The species name floribunda is Latin, meaning 'free-flowering' or 'abundant flowers', a very apt description.
'Forest Elder' relates to its common habitat and perhaps the resemblance of its large flower clusters to those of the unrelated European Elder (Sambucus species).
'Vlier' is the Afrikaans word for Elder.
Interesting facts:
It's known as one of the best bee trees in South Africa, producing so much nectar that the flowers literally buzz with activity in winter.
The honey produced from Nuxia floribunda nectar is light-coloured and highly regarded.
Despite being called 'Elder', it's not related to the European Elderberry used for cordials and wine.
Its rapid growth makes it useful for quickly establishing green cover in suitable areas.
The masses of tiny flowers create huge, fluffy-looking white displays that stand out dramatically against the green forest foliage.
Growing tips:
Easily grown from fresh seed sown in spring or autumn. Treat seed with smoke or smoke extract for better germination. Seedlings grow quickly.
Can also be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer.
Prefers moist, well-drained soil with plenty of compost added.
Water regularly, especially during dry spells and while the tree is establishing. It doesn't like to dry out completely.
Plant in a sunny position for best flowering, although it tolerates some shade.
It is quite fast-growing, often reaching 3-4 metres within a few years.
Protect young plants from frost; established trees can tolerate light frost but may be damaged by heavy or prolonged frost.
Generally doesn't require pruning unless you want to shape it or remove lower branches to form a standard tree.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Plant family (derivation)