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Black Bird-berry
Psychotria capensis
SA tree no: 723.2
English: Black Bird-berry, Bird-berry, Bastard Lemonwood, Lemon Bush, Natal Psychotria
Afrikaans: Swartvoelbessie, Voelbessie, Baster-lemoenhout, Lemoenbos
Xhosa: umGono-gono
Zulu: iZele, isiThitibala
Historical scientific names: Grumilea capensis, Mapouria capensis, Psychotria zuluensis
Psychotria capensis, commonly known as Bird-berry or Voëlbessie, is a beautiful indigenous evergreen shrub or small tree found predominantly in the coastal and inland forests and bushveld of South Africa. It is highly valued for its attractive, glossy dark green foliage, profusion of small, fragrant yellow flowers, and the subsequent display of bright red or black berries, which are a major food source for birds. Its dense growth habit and year-round interest make it an excellent choice for a variety of garden uses, including screening, under-planting, and attracting wildlife, contributing significantly to biodiversity.
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Distinguishing features
An evergreen shrub or small tree with a dense, rounded crown.
Features glossy, dark green, leathery leaves that are opposite and have prominent parallel side veins.
Produces numerous small, intensely fragrant, star-shaped yellow flowers in terminal clusters.
Fruits are small, round, fleshy berries that ripen from green to bright red, then eventually black.
The bark is typically smooth and greyish.
Overall appearance:
Psychotria capensis forms a dense, neat, and often multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with a rounded crown. Its lush, glossy dark green foliage provides a constant verdant backdrop, punctuated by sprays of cheerful yellow flowers and then an abundance of colourful berries, creating year-round visual appeal.
Height:
Typically grows 1.5 to 5 metres tall, occasionally reaching up to 7 metres as a small tree in sheltered forest conditions.
Width:
Forms a dense, spreading bush, usually 1.5 to 4 metres wide.
Leaves:
Simple, opposite, elliptic to oblong-elliptic or obovate, 5–15 cm long and 2–6 cm wide.
They are glossy dark green on the upper surface, paler beneath, and leathery in texture.
Have distinct parallel side veins running almost to the margin, giving them a somewhat ribbed appearance.
Margins are entire (smooth), and the apex is usually pointed (acuminate).
Flowers:
Small, star-shaped, 5-petalled, and usually bright yellow (though sometimes whitish-yellow).
Intensely fragrant, especially in the evening.
Borne in dense, terminal, branched clusters (corymbs) at the ends of branches.
Flowering season:
Flowers profusely in late winter to spring, typically from July to November, but can flower sporadically throughout the year.
Fruits:
Small, round, fleshy drupes (berries), about 5–8 mm in diameter.
Borne in large, showy clusters.
Ripen from green to bright red, then eventually to glossy black.
Each fruit contains 2 to 3 small seeds.
Seeds: Small, hard, and typically dark brown or black, contained within the fleshy fruit. Dispersed by birds.
Bark:
Smooth and greyish-brown on younger stems, becoming somewhat flaky or rougher with age.
Stems:
Multiple slender, often upright stems that branch to form a dense shrub or small tree. Young stems are smooth and brownish-green.
Roots:
Possesses a fibrous root system that is generally non-invasive.
Soil type:
Prefers well-drained, humus-rich soils. It can adapt to a range of soil types, from sandy to loamy, but good drainage is essential. It thrives in fertile conditions.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. Prefers sheltered positions in forests but can tolerate more open sites in gardens. It is moderately drought-tolerant once established but performs best with regular moisture. It is sensitive to severe frost, and young plants need protection, but established plants can tolerate light frost. It is relatively tolerant of coastal conditions.
Edibility:
The fruits are not typically eaten by humans, though they are a major food source for birds.
Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic to humans and animals. It is a known food source for birds, and no specific toxicity is reported.
Uses:
Ornamental Plant: An excellent indigenous garden subject due to its attractive glossy foliage, fragrant flowers, and colourful fruits. Ideal for hedges, screens, mixed borders, under-planting, and as a small specimen tree.
Wildlife Garden: The berries are highly attractive to a wide variety of fruit-eating birds, making it a valuable plant for attracting avian biodiversity to the garden. The flowers also attract insects, including bees.
Hedge/Screening: Its dense growth habit and ability to withstand pruning make it an effective plant for creating privacy screens and informal hedges.
Revegetation: Used in ecological restoration and revegetation projects, particularly in forest margins and coastal bush.
Traditional Uses: Some traditional uses have been recorded, mainly for medicinal purposes, but these are less common.
Ecology:
Pollination: The fragrant yellow flowers attract various insects, including bees and butterflies, which are important pollinators.
Seed Dispersal: The brightly coloured, fleshy berries are a major food source for numerous bird species (e.g., bulbuls, turacos, white-eyes, starlings), which consume the fruits and disperse the seeds through their droppings (endozoochory). This makes it a crucial component of forest ecosystems.
Habitat Provision: Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and small animals within its dense foliage.
Distribution and habitat:
Psychotria capensis has a wide distribution in the eastern and southern parts of South Africa.
South African Provinces: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Western Cape (eastern parts). Also extends into tropical Africa.
Habitat: Primarily found in coastal forests, evergreen forests, dune forests, and riverine bushveld, often in sheltered positions. It is also found in bushveld and kloofs (ravines).
Derivation of name:
The genus name Psychotria is derived from the Greek words 'psyche' meaning "life" or "soul," and 'trophe' meaning "nourishment," possibly referring to the medicinal properties of some species, or to the life that its fruits sustain (birds).
The species epithet capensis is Latin for "from the Cape," indicating its presence in the Cape region of South Africa.
Common names like "Bird-berry" directly refer to the fruit's importance as a food source for birds.
Historical aspects:
Psychotria capensis has been a valued part of South Africa's natural ecosystems for centuries, playing a vital role in forest biodiversity. Its ornamental qualities have led to its increased popularity in indigenous landscaping, where it is appreciated for its low maintenance and wildlife-attracting properties.
Interesting facts
This "Bird-berry" tree lives up to its name – its branches become absolutely laden with bright red berries that are a favourite feast for countless birds, turning your garden into a feathered dining hall!
Don't just look at its flowers; smell them! The tiny yellow blossoms release an amazing, sweet fragrance, especially as evening approaches, perfuming the air.
Its leaves have a unique secret: hold one up to the light, and you'll see distinctive parallel veins running almost perfectly straight from the midrib to the edge.
Growing tips
Propagation: Best propagated from fresh seeds (clean the pulp off before sowing) or from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in spring or autumn. Seeds can be slow and erratic to germinate.
Planting: Prefers a position in full sun to partial shade, ideally with some shelter, especially when young. Requires well-drained, humus-rich soil.
Watering: Water regularly, especially when young and during dry periods. Established plants are moderately drought-tolerant but perform best with consistent moisture.
Frost: Moderately frost-tender. Young plants should be protected from severe frost. Established plants can tolerate light frost, but may suffer some leaf damage.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Can be pruned to shape or to maintain size, making it suitable for hedging or screens. Pruning encourages denser growth.
Pests/Diseases: Generally robust and pest-free.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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