The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa
Large-leaved Onionwood
Afrikaans name: Grootblaaruiehout
Leaves of the Large-leaved Onionwood tree
Photo © Steven Herbert
Cassipourea gummiflua
The Large-leaved Onionwood is also known as the Broad-leaved Onionwood and is found from South Africa to Kenya and Sierra Leone. This tree even occurs on the Seychelles Islands!
This tree can be found in a wide variety of sizes. In some areas it is a shrub while in others it can grow to 40 metres tall.
The Large-leaved Onionwood gets tiny little white flowers along the stems, and small capsule-like fruit.
The name 'Onionwood' arises from the wood of the tree having an onion-like smell when freshly sawn.
Bark of the Large-leaved Onionwood tree
Photo © Steven Herbert
The wood is used for a variety of purposes including making poles, crates, toys and charcoal.
References and further reading
The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 352Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 787