For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Tree Wistaria – vanWykshout (Bolusanthus speclosus)

I have not done a tree for a long time and this has to be one of the prettiest we have.
 The Tree Wistaria grows to between 4-7m (12-21 feet) and is found in a variety of soil types.

The flowers are pea-shaped and very pretty and are blue to mauve in color normally flowering in the middle of summer. Right now, with the warm days we have had, there are still new buds to be found in a few areas.
 Local people use the dried inner bark to relieve abdominal disorders.

The wood is one of the best and hardest of indigenous timbers and has a wide variety of uses although pieces are usually small as the circumference of the tree is not very big.

This is one of the most beautiful wild trees to have in a garden and although the seeds germinate well, they do not like to be transplanted. They do well in well drained soil and a sunny position.

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