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Cape Plane
Ochna arborea var. arborea
SA tree no: 479
English: Cape Plane, Cape Redwood, Cold-bark Ochna, Micky Mouse Plant
Afrikaans: Kaapse Rooihout
Xhosa: Isibomvu, Umbovance-ncicim, Umtensema
Zulu: Mbovu, Isithundu
Venda: Tshipfure
Historical scientific names: Ochna oconnorii
Varieties: Ochna arborea var. oconnorii
Ochna arborea var. arborea, commonly known as Cape, Plane, Cape Redwood or Kaapse Rooihout, is an attractive indigenous evergreen shrub or small to medium-sized tree. It shares the key characteristics of the species Ochna arborea, including its glossy green leaves and distinctive bark that often peels to reveal a mottled underbark. The bright yellow flowers transform into an eye-catching display of shiny black berries, each sitting on an enlarged, vibrant red receptacle, a feature that gives some related Ochna species the playful nickname "Mickey Mouse plant." This resilient variety thrives in various forest and bushveld habitats across its distribution in South Africa.
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Distinguishing features:
An evergreen shrub or small to medium-sized tree, growing up to 12 metres tall.
Features smooth, grey, peeling bark that reveals a distinctive mottled underbark.
Has glossy, leathery, oblong to elliptic green leaves with serrated (finely toothed) margins. Young leaves are often bronze-coloured.
Produces bright yellow flowers borne in clusters on short lateral shoots.
Bears 1-5 kidney-shaped, shiny black carpels (berries) sitting on an enlarged, bright red, persistent receptacle (the part supporting the fruit), surrounded by the red, petal-like sepals.
Overall appearance:
Ochna arborea var. arborea presents as a well-shaped, dense evergreen plant. Its most striking features are the attractive, often peeling, grey bark that shows off a mottled effect underneath, and the vibrant fruit display of shiny black berries on bright red structures, contributing to a decorative look throughout much of the year.
Height:
Can grow as a shrub or small to medium-sized tree, reaching up to 12 metres high.
Leaves:
Oblong to elliptic in shape, measuring up to 10 cm long.
Leathery and shiny green on the upper surface, often paler underneath.
Young leaves frequently have a bronze colour.
Margins are serrated (finely toothed).
The apex (tip) often tapers to a rounded point, sometimes with a hair-like tip.
Numerous lateral veins are present, closely spaced and visible from above.
Flowers:
Bright yellow and relatively showy.
Borne in clusters on short lateral shoots.
The sepals (outer leaf-like parts of the flower) are persistent and enlarge when the fruit develops, becoming red and petal-like.
There are 5-10 petals, which are larger than the sepals but fall off early after opening.
Numerous free stamens are present.
Flowering season:
August to January, but more commonly between August and November in South Africa.
Fruits:
The ripe fruit consists of 1 to 5 individual, kidney-shaped (reniform), shiny black carpels (drupelets).
These black carpels are attached to an enlarged, swollen, bright red receptacle (the central part where the fruit sits).
The red, petal-like sepals that surrounded the flower persist and remain prominent around the developing fruit.
Fruiting occurs from November to February.
Seeds:
Small, hard, black, and kidney-shaped, contained within the fleshy carpels.
Bark:
Smooth and grey on young stems, becoming distinctively smooth, grey, and peeling in flakes on older trees, revealing a lighter, mottled underbark.
Wood:
While specific uses for Ochna arborea wood are not extensively detailed, the genus Ochna is generally known for having hard and durable wood.
Thorns:
This plant is thornless.
Roots:
No specific details on roots are available for this variety or species from the primary sources.
Soil type:
Found in various soil types, but thrives in well-drained conditions. It occurs in sandy soils along the coast in some regions.
Aspect:
Ochna arborea var. arborea is naturally found in forests and along forest margins, suggesting it prefers a position with some protection from harsh sun, potentially tolerating partial shade, but it also occurs on rock outcrops in bushveld.
Edibility:
The fruits of Ochna species are generally considered edible for birds and some mammals, but human edibility for Ochna arborea var. arborea specifically is not widely documented or recommended as a food source in reliable botanical references.
Toxicity:
No specific toxicity is reported for Ochna arborea var. arborea for humans or animals in the consulted sources.
Uses:
Ornamental Value: Its glossy foliage, bright yellow flowers, and striking red and black fruits make it an attractive ornamental plant for gardens.
Hedge and Screen: Its dense growth habit makes it suitable for creating dense hedges or screens, providing privacy and wind protection.
Biodiversity Attraction: A valuable plant for attracting wildlife, particularly birds, which feed on its persistent, colourful fruits.
Ecological Rehabilitation: Useful in restoring indigenous habitats due to its adaptability and role in local ecosystems.
Ecology:
Pollination: The bright yellow flowers attract various insect pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which are vital for the plant's reproduction. These flowers are a good source of nectar and pollen for honeybees.
Seed Dispersal: The colourful, fleshy fruits are highly attractive to a wide array of birds, which consume the berries and play a crucial role in dispersing the seeds, aiding the plant's propagation across its habitat. Mammals may also feed on fallen fruits.
Habitat Provision: The dense canopy of Ochna arborea var. arborea provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and other small wildlife.
Distribution and habitat:
Ochna arborea var. arborea is found in various parts of South Africa and extends into neighbouring countries.
South African Provinces: This variety is specifically found in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape.
Wider Range: Its distribution extends beyond South Africa into Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
Habitat: This variety typically occurs in forests, along forest margins, and also on rock outcrops in bushveld. It can also be found in woodland and grassland, particularly on sandy soils along the coast, at altitudes up to 1500 metres.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Ochna is derived from the Greek word 'ochne', which means "wild pear", referring to the pear-shaped leaves of some species in the genus.
The specific epithet arborea is Latin and means "tree-like" or "arborescent", indicating its growth form as a tree.
The varietal epithet arborea simply indicates that this is the typical or nominate variety of the species.
The common names "Cape Redwood" and "Kaapse Rooihout" refer to its woody nature and its distribution in the Cape regions of South Africa.
Historical aspects:
No specific historical aspects differentiating Ochna arborea var. arborea from the species as a whole are detailed in the primary sources. The species Ochna arborea has been recognised and named since the early 19th century.
Interesting facts:
This tree's close relative, Ochna serrulata, is often called the "Mickey Mouse bush" because its bright red fruit base with shiny black berries on top looks just like Mickey Mouse's head – a fun detail shared by many Ochna species!
Ochna arborea var. arborea has bark that loves to peel off in patches, revealing a cool, mottled pattern underneath, making each tree a bit unique!
If you want to make your garden a bird haven, this plant is a fantastic choice because those vibrant red and black berries are a firm favourite for many bird species, providing them with food for ages.
Growing tips:
Propagation: Best propagated from fresh seeds. Clean the fleshy pulp from the seeds before sowing them in a well-drained seedling mix. Germination can be variable and may take some time, so patience is key. It can also be propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings.
Planting: Prefers a position with full sun to partial shade. Ensure the soil is well-drained.
Watering: Water regularly when the plant is young to help it establish a strong root system. Once established, Ochna arborea var. arborea is moderately drought-tolerant but will benefit from occasional deep watering during prolonged dry periods, especially during active growth.
Frost: Ochna arborea var. arborea is generally moderately frost-hardy, but protection for young plants in very cold areas might be beneficial.
Maintenance: This is a relatively low-maintenance plant. Pruning can be done to shape the tree, maintain its size, or encourage a denser habit.
Pests/Diseases: Generally robust and resistant to most common pests and diseases.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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