Mountain Cabbage Tree

Afrikaans name: Bergkiepersol

Mountain Cabbage Tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

Cussonia paniculata

The Mountain Cabbage Tree is not the tallest of trees as it only grows to a height of 5 metres. What it lacks in height it makes up form in character which is why it is popular with gardeners.

This slow-growing tree favours rocky habitats in mountainous areas, often growing in cracks between rocks where dry leaves collect providing nutrients for it.

The flowers attract large numbers of bees and other insects. Kudu favour the leaves and Chacma Baboons eat the young shoots. Birds eat the black seeds when ripe.

The Mountain Cabbage Tree is very useful. The leaves are fed to cattle and goats while the soft wood was used to make brake-blocks for wagons.

Mountain Cabbage Tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 271

Everyone's Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 87

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 391

Sappi Tree Spotting: Highveld and the Drakensburg - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Year Published: 1998 - Page: 58

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Year Published: 1994 - Page: 378

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Year Published: 2002 - Page: 849

What Tree is That? - Author: Hazel Stokes - Year Published: 1967 - Page: 33