The Zimbabwean Gardener Issue 3 Summer 2012 | Page 31

Indigenous plants of Zimbabwe
In the bush

Photo by B. Wursten

Domestic cattle and many game animals such as kudu, impala,
nyala and bushbuck, graze the leaves and branches, and
monkeys and baboons enjoy eating the ripe berries.

Care
Plant the White stinkwood in either full sun or semi-shade.
The tree is not restricted to any specific soil types but will
respond well to deep rich soils. Therefore, add a lot of organic
matter to the hole when planting. It is a fast growing tree that
can grow about two metres per year if given enough water.
The tree is drought resistant and can tolerate some degree
of frost. It is easily grown from seed but fresh seed must be
collected from the tree before it falls onto the ground. The
tree also self-seeds very easily so be sure to look out for
young seedlings around the mother.
Most people are drawn to indigenous evergreen trees but
don’t be put off by the fact that the white stinkwood is
deciduous. If given water over the winter months, the tree
may only lose its leaves for a short period of time. Remember
deciduous trees also have their benefits. They can be used
as natural indicators to show the change of season and also
allow for sun to penetrate during those cold winter days!

As a result of its adaptability, its
appearance and size varies considerably.

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