## South African Trees Medicinal and Fun Facts

![Natal Mahogany](https://joan1911.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/natal_mahogney.png)

### Natal mahogany (English) rooiessenhout (Afrikaans) umathunzini (isiZulu) - Trichilia emetica

Deep Green glossy leaves dress the Natal Mahogany trees, dark wood bark on appearance, growing up to 25m high. 

When bark is crushed it produces a pink powder used for stomach and intestinal ailments, also used to make a pinkish dye.

Leaves are browsed by game, flowers visited by sunbirds and monkeys. Fruit is eaten by monkeys and antelope, while the seeds are taken by the birds. A tree that has many purposes from the roots to the tips!

Sun loving tree that does not like frost, found in tropical Africa along our coastal belt of KwaZulu-Natal.

![Natal Mahognay Tree](https://joan1911.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/tree_natalmahogny.png)

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### Marula Tree

![Marula Tree](https://joan1911.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/marula.png)

One of southern Africa's most valued trees, edible fruit and multiples uses from almost all parts of the 9m high marula. Drought resistant, attracting birds, butterflies adding value in being edible, medicinal and useful.

Yes Amarula Cream something most local people will drink savouring the delicious alcoholic beverage from time to time. Elephants, Rhino, Giraffe, Kudu have been known to enjoy the leaves. Dropped ripened fruit, elephant alongside baboons celebrate the tipsy treat.

Fruit falls to the ground green, within 5 days ripens, juice has 4 times as much Vitamin C as orange juice. Inside each fruit is a large nut stone containing a soft macadamia type nut kernel which is highly nutritious.

Bees honey from the tree is light in colour, offering a lovely flavour. Leaves, Roots and Bark of tree has a variety of medicinal properties.

Trees are used in so many ways to benefit animals, birds, bees and man, stop and appreciate a lovely tree whenever you see one in your neighbourhood.

![Marula Tree](https://joan1911.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/tree_marula.png)

#### This post photography is taken in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa [@old-guy-photos](https://steemit.com/@old-guy-photos "@old-guy-photos") 

**All photography my own, using Canon PowerShot SX730 HS Bridge Camera**

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