Sagewood

Afrikaans name:

Sagewood tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

Buddleja salviifolia

The Sagewood tree is found in suitable habitat over most of South Africa. It is absent from the eastern coastal belt and from the arid regions in the west. It can be found in a variety of habitats including along higher altitude streams, rocky hillsides and in evergreen forests. At best the Sagewood can be described as a small tree. It reaches a maximum height of 8 metres but is often smaller. The bark is reddish-brown in colour. The leaves are long and pointed and are greenish on top and white or brownish underneath. Young leaves have brownish hairs which disappear with age. The flowers are small but are pretty and come in an array of colours including white, cream and purple. The fruit is small. The wood of the Sagewood was used to make the shafts of assegais.

References and further reading

Tsitsikama Trees - Author: Prof. HB Rycroft - Published: 1980 - Page: 104

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 940

The Flora of the Natal Drakensberg - Author: Donald Killick - Published: 1990 - Page: 72

Sappi Tree Spotting: Highveld and the Drakensburg - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 1998 - Page: 92

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 426

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 300

Everyones Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 95

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 37

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