Celtis mildbraedii
Encyclopedia
Celtis mildbraedii is a species of forest tree in the Cannabaceae
family. This species was previously assigned to the Ulmaceae
family. These trees grow in limited areas of South Africa
, Mozambique
and Zimbabwe
. They are also found in forested areas from West Africa to Sudan
, DRC, Angola
and Tanzania
. Common names include Natal White Stinkwood, Red-fruited White-stinkwood and Natal Elm. This species is more common in Tropical Africa
than in Southern Africa
.
There are about twenty specimens in Pigeon Valley
Natural Heritage Park, Durban
, South Africa. The southern-most specimen is found in Ilanda Wilds
Nature Reserve in Amanzimtoti.
The fruit of the tree turns red as it ripens but viable seed is difficult to find. No Natal White Stinkwoods were available from plant nurseries in South Africa in 2009 suggesting that this tree species is not being propagated, despite its rarity in South Africa.
This tree is a dominant species in the moist semi-deciduous forests of Ghana
along with Triplochiton scleroxylon
and African Mahogany (Khaya ivoriensis). The trees were common in Ajenjua Bepo and Mamang River Forest Reserves in Ghana.
In Uganda
the tree is used for timber and is a primate
food source in Budongo Forest Reserve. A study of correlations between seedling and adult tree densities of Celtis mildbraedii here, suggested that this species had a healthy regeneration pattern.
Cannabaceae
Cannabaceae are a small family of flowering plants. As now circumscribed, the family includes about 170 species grouped in about 11 genera, including Cannabis , Humulus and Celtis...
family. This species was previously assigned to the Ulmaceae
Ulmaceae
Ulmaceae is a family of flowering plant that includes the elms , and the zelkovas . Members of the family are widely distributed throughout the north temperate zone, and have a scattered distribution elsewhere except for Australasia.The family was formerly sometimes treated to include the...
family. These trees grow in limited areas of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
and Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. They are also found in forested areas from West Africa to Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
, DRC, Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
and Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
. Common names include Natal White Stinkwood, Red-fruited White-stinkwood and Natal Elm. This species is more common in Tropical Africa
Tropical Africa
Although tropical Africa is most familiar in the West as depicted by its rain forests, this region of Africa is far more diverse. While the tropics are thought of as regions with warm to hot moist climates caused by latitude and the tropical rain belt, the geology of areas, particularly mountain...
than in Southern Africa
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
.
There are about twenty specimens in Pigeon Valley
Pigeon Valley
Pigeon Valley is a Natural Heritage Park in Durban, South Africa. It was established to provide protection for the Natal White Stinkwood and other forest giants of the coastal climax forest. Another rare tree that occurs here is Oxyanthus pyriformis which is endemic to the Durban area and to Ongoye...
Natural Heritage Park, Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, South Africa. The southern-most specimen is found in Ilanda Wilds
Ilanda Wilds
Ilanda Wilds is a nature reserve situated along Amanzimtoti River in the town of Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This small area of land contains various habitat types, ranging from steep rocky slopes to various riverine habitats, forest and small patches of grassland..- History :A...
Nature Reserve in Amanzimtoti.
The fruit of the tree turns red as it ripens but viable seed is difficult to find. No Natal White Stinkwoods were available from plant nurseries in South Africa in 2009 suggesting that this tree species is not being propagated, despite its rarity in South Africa.
This tree is a dominant species in the moist semi-deciduous forests of Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
along with Triplochiton scleroxylon
Triplochiton scleroxylon
Triplochiton scleroxylon is a tropical tree of Africa. This timber is also known as Abachi, under the Nigerian name obeche, the Ghana name wawa, the Cameroon name ayous and Ivory Coast name samba....
and African Mahogany (Khaya ivoriensis). The trees were common in Ajenjua Bepo and Mamang River Forest Reserves in Ghana.
In Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
the tree is used for timber and is a primate
Primate
A primate is a mammal of the order Primates , which contains prosimians and simians. Primates arose from ancestors that lived in the trees of tropical forests; many primate characteristics represent adaptations to life in this challenging three-dimensional environment...
food source in Budongo Forest Reserve. A study of correlations between seedling and adult tree densities of Celtis mildbraedii here, suggested that this species had a healthy regeneration pattern.