| General Description | Harpephyllum caffrum is the unique genus of the Anacardiaceae family. “Sickle” defines Harpe in Greek, “Phyll” in American English defines “leaf”. The native range of this dioecious evergreen tree primarily succeeds in sectors of tropical, subtropical climates in riparian and low lying coastal regions of South Africa. Kaffir / African wild plum tree is a single/multi-trunked hardwood bole with a vigorous growth into a whorl of deep forest pinnately compound foliage. Flowering yellowish green panicles transform into bright reddish scarlet fruits. Today it is a well distributed scattered plant in cultivation, ornamental uses, and urban street plantings, while it maintains natural growth in the wild. |
| ID Characteristic | While Harpephyllum is not the single genus of its species, caffrum sports a unique sharp, sickle, (falcate)-lanceolate style of compound pinnate foliage, distinctive from other species. Thrives in the wild and cities of South Africa. It is a popular cultivated plant as an ornamental tree for parks, gardens, urban landscapes within the southern United States of America and other parts of the world.
Harpephyllum caffrum fruit and nectar is a source for humans to commonly ferment into edible jellies and rose / pink wine. Mainly wildlife and insects rely on the tree, fruit, and nectar for a living source. The particular attraction of wildlife in Africa draws attention to a wide range of habitual group of wildlife and insect species ; Common hairtail butterfly, 7 species of moths, bees, birds, turacos, loeries, trumpeter hornbills, green pigeons, parrots, bushbuck antelope, chacma baboons, bushpigs.
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| Shape | Rounded dense crown, thick spreading canopy. |
| Landscape | Current uses of this species are quite popular along residential streets, boulevards, home gardens, as shade tree dwellings; screening plants are popular amongst urban landscapes in their native country and non-native southern coastal areas. Numerous parks and recreation organizations in our world recognize the importance of the Harpephyllum tree and exhibit care for this particular species. A significant variety of wildlife with various insects are attracted annually relying on the species resources. |
| Propagation | Can be propagated by seed and by means of cuttings and truncheons. |
| Cultivation | River sand, compost, or improved organic matter. Sunset zones 17, 19, 21 - 24. USDA Hardiness zone 10a - 11b. RHS H1a -H1c, H2. pH slightly acidic to neutral. Full direct sunlight, moderate tolerance to low temperatures, intolerance to frost. Sensitive to heat exceeding 43 C. Endures drought, dry, and compact (poor) soils. Fire retardant. |
| Pests | No notable pests or diseases. |
| Notable Specimens | Green Meadows Recreation Centre. 431. E. 89th St. Los Angeles, CA. Recognized as heritage. |
| Habitat | Throughout the Riverine Forest of Kaffraria South Africa, which is now the Eastern Cape succeeding in tropical and subtropical climates in low - lying coastal and riparian areas. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Single / multi trunk with a non-aggressive root system and often is supported with buttress roots in wild growth. Reflects smooth silvery - grey on young, fused into grey, mahogany when older growth occurs throughout the rough fissured wooded structure. Horizontal lenticels all around the tree. The tree is fire retardant. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Terminal buds microgreen sprouting into tiny whitish flowers. |
| Leaf Description | A contrast of foliage whorled into a radial symmetry of odd, pinnately compound opposite of one terminal leaf blade. 11 - 15 sickle (falcate) shape leaflets randomly form, reddish in colour, maturing into deep, leathery, glabrous, tinged, shiny green sheaths, a waxy lamina with entire margin foliage. Light yellowish green petioles 4 - 10 cm length, rachis 10 -30 cm, merely a sole leaf with thick yellowish mid veins forms a sickle - lanceolate - curved bowed shape (similar to a mango leaf) 6 - 10 cm in length, 2 - 5 cm in width. A compound of foliage is 30 - 35 cm in length. |
| Flower Description | Auxiliary posy panicles consist of each male and female with non - articulate clusters of flowers 100 - 200 mm in length. March to August brilliantly blossoms into an off white, yellow, greenish inflorescence of flowers. Fragrant perianth calyx has 4 - 5 sepals, corolla 4 - 5 petals, 4 - 5 carpels, 7 -10 stamen, one pistil per flower. |
| Fruit Description | Oblong indehiscent drupe fruit single stone seed casing 25 - 30 mm in length x 12 - 17 mm across. Female flowers bear green unripe fruit, slightly oranges then matures into a brightness of ruby red oblong drupe fruit around autumn, specifically from September to January. Indigenous fruit extract, antioxidant, with bitter / sour flavor. |
| Colour Description | Reddish, deep leathery, forest green, foliage. Light to dark grey bole, branches, stems, grey, mahogany blends into scions forming light green petitoles, rachis connecting green immature fruit maturing into bright red oblong fruit. |
| Texture Description | Medium - straight grain. |