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

References and further reading

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

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 203

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

Sappi Wild Flower Guide - Mpumalanga and Northern Province - Author: Jo Onderstall - Published: 1996 - Page: 148

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

The Flora of the Natal Drakensberg - Author: Donald Killick - Published: 1990 - Page: 70

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

Readers Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southe - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Published: 1991 - Page: 391

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

Indigenous Garden Plants of Southern Africa - Author: Glenice Ebedes - Published: 2017 - Page: 22

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

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