For my latest blog I have decided to write about something a little different. For decades African people have relied on what they could utilize from the earth, there were no Pharmacy’s, Supermarkets, Shopping Malls or GP’s. They had to make use of what they had – and what they had was nature. I would also think that the most used elements must have been and actually still are plants. There are so many uses for plants it is staggering. I have singled out four specific trees that you will most definitely see on your stay at Vuyani Safari Lodge.
Sycamore Fig – Ficus sycamorus
The Sycamore fig is a very large evergreen tree, mostly spotted on Kruger National Park trips. Sycamore figs are terrestrial and widespread along Lowveld Rivers also from Kwa Zulu Natal to East Africa and Egypt. They bare edible fruit that are yellowish or reddish in color when ripe, these fruits are highly valued as food by both human and creature alike. The Sycamore also has quite a few economic uses and one of the most interesting is most definitely that it was used to make sarcophagi in Egypt. The sycamore produces quite a bit of shade and is a popular relaxation spot for Leopard, also very often inhabited by Baboons, who will feast on the fruits.
Buffalo Thorn – Ziziphus mucronata
The Buffalo Thorn is a common resident around Vuyani Safari Lodge and on Moditlo Private Game Reserve and it is armed with hooked and straight spines at each node. The Afrikaans name for this tree is the: Blinkblaar Wag – ‘n – bietjie which directly translated to English means: Shiny Leaf Wait a Bit – this makes a lot of sense because if the spines manage to infiltrate your clothing or even worse skin, it will indeed make you “wait – a – bit” The fruits of this tree are edible during the months of March to August, the fruits are a glossy spherical drupe with a reddish brown tint when mature. In Botswana it is believed that this tree is immune to lightning. The wood is fine-grained and heavy, mostly used for woodworking. The bark contains tannins and has anti –fungal properties, also believed to be an indicator of underground water. In South Africa the Zulu tribe have a belief that if someone passes you should take a branch of the Buffalo Thorn and drag it over their grave, because the straight spine points to the future, whilst the hooked spine point to the past – thus letting the soul rest in peace.
Leadwood – Combretum imberbe.
The Leadwood is probably one of the most spectacular trees to see, it just seems like it should have featured in the Lord of the Rings. Widespread from tropical Africa, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, the dark heartwood is exceptionally hard and heavy, close grained and particularly hard to work. Wood from the Leadwood tree was much used in the past for fence posts, mine props and railway sleepers. Today still very popular to make furniture and can be seen in many lodges and households. Ash from burnt wood has high lime content and is used as toothpaste and whitewash by many tribes. The leaves are browsed by game rather often. Seeds are possibly poisonous, but not known facts, some of the larger Leadwood trees are reputed to be well over 1000 years old.
And lastly probably the most popular in the Lowveld area is the well-known Marula Tree.
Marula – Sclerocarya birrea
Sclerocarya – derived from the Greek word meaning Walnut, referring to the hard kernel inside the fleshy fruit. The fruits are edible, large and fleshy, plum like and a pale green colour which ripens to yellow. The Marula is classified as one of the great trees of Africa, usually very well preserved by the indigenous people for its valuable fruit and shade. The fruits are also high in Vitamin C and utilized by both humans and animals. A jelly preserve and an intoxicating drink known as Mampoer are made from the juice. Seeds are used raw, cooked or ground. Many insects use this tree to breed and feed on. The tree can be propagated by from seed by means of truncheons. The very popular South African liqueur namely Amarula is produced from the fruits of this tree, and I am most certain most guests that have visited Vuyani Safari Lodge have had a taste of this delicious drink. Also widely used in all types of foods by the chefs.
These are but a few trees that I have singled out – there are more than 22 000 different species of seed plants indigenous to Southern Africa. This is less than the tip of the iceberg – just a few to mention, I can only imagine how plants and trees have saved numerous lives. If trees could talk the stories they would tell – the things they must have witnessed – history in the making – the magic that surrounds them. If you go on your first safari I know that animals tend to be the number one priority – but as you are driving through the bush, just take a moment to take in the botanical wonder.
*Justine Ferreira