A very variable species, it is closely related to Osyris lanceolata but differs in having all its flowers hermaphrodite, the leaves generally opposite and differences in the floral parts[].

Common Name: Cape Sumach

General Information

Cape sumach is an evergreen shrub, sometimes attaining the size of a small bushy tree; it grows from 1 - 5 metres tall[]. The bole can be up to 25cm in diameter[]. Although capable of photosynthesis and thus producing its own food, it is also a parasite on the roots of other plants[].
The plant is gathered from the wild for local use as a source of food, medicine and other commodities. The fruits are highly decorative on the plant - since they don't ripen all at once, the plant can be very attractive for long periods throughout the year. And so the plant is often grown as an ornamental. They also attract birds and insects to the garden wherever they are planted[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - southern Mozambique, Swaziland, S. Africa.

Habitat

In scrub and forest on littoral dunes; lower mountain slopes and savannahs[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Butterflies, Flies, Ants
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of arid to moist areas in the tropics and subtropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,960 metres. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature is within the range 14 - 32°c, and the mean annual rainfall from 300 - 2,120mm[].
Grows well in sandy soils and a sunny position[]. Plants do exceptionally well in coastal areas and are very tolerant of windy conditions[].
Individual plants are relatively short-lived but produce an abundance of fruits to ensure reproduction[].
A fast growing plant that establishes itself rapidly through masses of seeds, which are produced for at least eight months of the year[].
Flowers are either just male on one plant or hermaphroditic (can be male or female on the same plant)[]. The flowers of this species are always hermaphrodite - plants with monoecious flowers are more likely to belong to the species Osyris lanceolata[].
The flowers and fruits are produced erratically throughout the year[].
As with the other member of the Santalaceae family, the Cape sumach parasitizes nearby plants by means of root attachments. The young plant may utilize water and important nutrients from the host plant, and may become less dependent as it matures; the plant is not entirely dependent on host plants and can survive on its own should the host plant die until another suitable host is found[].

Edible Uses

The fruits are edible and were an important food of the early inhabitants of the Cape[]. The stones were removed and the fleshy part compressed and stored for lean times[, ]. The fruits are highly decorative on the plant and are ellipsoid, fleshy, about 15 x 10 mm, becoming bright, shiny red and then purplish black as they ripen[]. Fruits don't ripen all at once which is why these plants can be very attractive for long periods throughout the year[].

The bark, when boiled, produces a dark coloured solution that is used to flavour tea[].

Medicinal

A boiled concoction of the bark, combined with other herbs, is reputed to be useful in improving blood circulation, as well as the digestive, respiratory and nervous systems. It is given to women after giving birth in order to boost their appetite[].
The oils and paste derived from the bark are used to treat skin diseases such as infectious sores, ulcers, acne and rashes[].

The tree (part not specified) is known to be disinfectant and a sedative[]. It is reputed to be effective against the killer virus, hepatitis B[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants thrive in sandy conditions and, together with other species of plants, can be used to form a soil stabilizer in coastal dune systems[].
Plants form very effective small windbreaks provided there are enough host plants growing with them[].

Other Uses

Both the bark and the fresh leaves can be used for tanning[, ]. A decoction of fresh leaves can be used to tan cotton, fishing lines and nets to make them more durable[].

The bark, stem, seeds and roots are used in the manufacture of aromatic oils that are used in making expensive perfumes, quality lotions, rare soaps and sweet-smelling candles[].
The wood yields between 4 - 10% essential oil when distilled[]. The heartwood scent is used in sacred ceremonies and to purify holy places. Incense sticks from the wood are burned in temples and houses[].

The wood is heavy, and fine-grained[, ]. Because of the small size of the tree, it is suitable only for carving ornaments and small utensils like pestles[, ].
The wood has been used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - can be sown in situ, if there are other plants to serve as the hosts[].
It is not possible to grow plants from cuttings[].

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