Forest Toad Tree
Tabernaemontana ventricosa
Umkhahlu, Ukhamamasane (Zulu)
Belongs to the plant family Apocynaceae.
Natural Distribution and Habitat
Tabernaemontana ventricosa has a disjunct distribution from
Ghana, eastern Nigeria, western Cameroon, eastern Democratic Republic
of the
Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South
Africa in the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal where it grows in riverine forests
and the forest under storey.
Description
This small to medium-sized tree can reach a maximum
height of 15 m, but averages between 4 and 8 m. Tabernaemontana ventricosa can
have one or more straight trunks with smooth greyish-brown bark. The tree is
low branching with smooth, dark green young branches turning a pale brown when
mature. The leaves are large oblong and shiny dark green in colour, the flowers
are salver-shaped, white and sweet smelling. The unusual fruits have two pods
joined at the base they are dark green and smooth, sometimes with wrinkles and
light green speckles or markings they split open to reveal fleshy orange pulp
with embedded seeds in June to August.
Use in the landscape
Tabernaemontana ventricosa with its small size, clean
tidy growth habit, glossy dark green foliage, attractive sweet smelling white
flowers and unusual fruits, is excellent for the landscape designer of gardener
to plant in any garden or landscape design. For those wanting to plant it to
bring nature back into their indigenous garden it is an excellent choice
because apart from being an ideal landscape feature plant it also attracts
birds, insects and small mammals into your garden.
Although Tabernaemontana ventricosa grows naturally
mostly as an under story plant and prefers shade to partly shady conditions it
will grow in the full sun in a garden if it is sheltered from the wind and it
gets plenty of water, where it will flower much more profusely than if grown in
shade.
Tabernaemontana ventricosa is frost sensitive, preferring
more tropical areas with mild winters.
Tabernaemontana ventricosa will happily grow in wet
places where many other plants may not grow.
Ecological importance
Birds, animals such as fruit bats and monkeys eat the
fruit. The leaves are browsed by game in particular bushbuck, the sweet
smelling flowers attract various insects.
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Propagation and Growing
Tabernaemontana ventricosa can easily be grown from fresh
seed and grows relatively fast under favorable conditions.
Tabernaemontana ventricosa seedlings grows best in humus
rich well drained sandy soils.
Plant in a large hole and mix in a good amount of
compost, well rotted manure, and a balanced fertiliser. Mulch well and water
regularly, especially during the first year or two for optimum growth.
Cultural Uses
The bark of this tree is said to be used for bringing
down a fever, the latex is applied to wounds and sore eyes to promote healing
and in KwaZulu-Natal the seeds, bark and roots are used to treat nervous
complaints and high blood pressure.
The pulp of the ripe fruit is edible.
Michael Hickman
28 March 2014
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