Common Name:

General Information

Macaranga capensis is a tree often with a much-branched, pyramidal crown and ascending branches, or with a broad, spreading crown; it usually grows from 4.5 - 18 metres tall, occasionally to 27 metres. The straight bole is more or less buttressed; both bole and branches are armed with short spines[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use and as a source of timber. It is also plnted as an amenity shade tree[].
Macaranga capensis 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(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Gabon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, S. Africa.

Habitat

Evergreen forest; forest patches in grassland; secondary or disturbed forests; forest margins; riverine and gully forests; woodland on mountain slopes; swamp forest (mushitu) margins; locally common to dominant; at elevations from 305 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	15.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are used to treat allergies[].

Other Uses

The wood is used for timber, knife sheaths, xylophones and water pots[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -

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