Common Name: Septee Tree

General Information

Cordia caffra is a deciduous shrub or small tree usually growing 2 - 10 metres tall but with exceptional specimens that can be 20 metres or more tall[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of wood. Why this breathtaking tree is so rarely used in the horticultural and landscape trade is a mystery. It possesses almost all the qualities of the ideal city garden tree; very attractive with or without its leaves, small to medium in size, interesting, smooth, light brown bark, whilst its showy deep orange fruit can be eaten by both humans and birds alike. What more could you ask for![].
Cordia caffra has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major
threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland, S. Africa, Madagascar.

Habitat

Dune bush and coastal forest, and inland in woodland and on forest margins[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Older plants can tolerate at least a mild frost[].
Prefers a position in light shade, though it also grows well in full sun[].
Young trees grow fairly quickly and can reach fruiting size within 7 years of sowing the seed[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. Edible, but not very tasty[]. The orange or red ovoid fruit can be 14mm long and 9mm wide[].

Medicinal

Parts of this tree are used medicinally to treat sore eyes, fever and wounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Trees respond well to trimming and can be pruned successfully into any desired shape[]. This probably means that it could be grown as a hedge[].

Other Uses

Dry sticks are rubbed together to make fire caused by friction heat[].

The heartwood is a pinkish colour[]. The wood is moderately heavy, hard, compact and durable[, ]. Easily worked, it does not chip and cut when planed and polishes well[]. It is used to make attractive furniture[]. The sapwood is used to build huts[].

Propagation

Seed - germinates fairly quickly[].

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