Natal Mahogany Trichilia emetica This is a deciduous tree, which can grow up to 20m tall. They can be found in open woodland and riverine bush. They can be found from Sudan to Kwazulu-Natal. The bark is smooth and is dark brown to grey in colour. Monkeys feed on the flowers and baboon and antelope eat fruit. Local people soak seeds in water, which leave behind a milky substance, which is sometimes eaten with spinach. The seeds are also eaten by certain bird species. Oil extracted from the seeds is used cosmetically and also used to help heal bones. Bark, which has been powdered down, is used as an emetic and an enema and may also be used to make a pinkish dye. The flowers are produced between August to November and fruit is found between December to April. The wood is used for carvings, musical instruments, household implements, furniture, bats and canoes.

		Back to Tree Gallery