Pterocelastrus rostratus (Thunb.) Walp. Pterocelastrus ... - SABONET

Pterocelastrus rostratus (Thunb.) Walp. 

P. galpinii 

Common name: Red Candlewood 

Siswati name: seHlulamanya 

Distribution: Patches in the northwest and on Mdzimba Mountains in 

central-western Swaziland. 

Abundance: Common to rare. 

Habitat: In and along the margins of afromontane forest, often near water. 

Land tenure: SNL and PA. 

Conservation Status: Least Concern. 

Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus (Lam.) Walp. 

Common name: Candlewood 

Siswati name: seHlulamanya 

Distribution: Scattered in the west, with patches in central Swaziland. 

Abundance: Common to abundant. 

Habitat: Rocky outcrops in grassland and along evergreen forest margins. 

Land tenure: Wide range. 


Putterlickia verrucosa (E.Mey. ex Sond.) Szyszyl. 

Gymnosporia integrifolia 

Common name: Forest False Spike-thorn 

Siswati name: Mhlatjwa 

Distribution: Scattered in northeastern and central Swaziland, with a patch 

in Cecil Mac’s Pass on the Lebombo Range. 

Abundance: Common. 

Habitat: Bushveld, thicket, and low-lying riverine bush. Often on sandy soils. 



General: The whole plant is used for medicinal purposes. 

Robsonodendron eucleiforme (Eckl. & Zeyh.) R.H.Archer 

Cassine eucleiformis 

Common name: White Silky Bark 

Siswati name: uSasatja 

Voucher specimen(s): 446 

Distribution: Sparsely scattered in western Swaziland. 

Abundance: Rare to common. 

Habitat: Along evergreen forest margins and among rocky outcrops in 

grassland. 



CELASTRACEAE 

SABONET Report No. 38 59

CELASTRACEAE 

Salacia leptoclada Tul. 

S. baumannii, S. wardii 

Common name: Sand Lemon Rope 

Voucher specimen(s): 199, 770, 1007 

Distribution: Restricted to the Lebombo Range. 


Habitat: Understorey of Lebombo forest. 

Land tenure: TDL and SNL. 


CELTIDACEAE 

Celtis africana Burm.f. 

C. kraussiana 

Common name: White Stinkwood 

Siswati name: umVumvu, luHlolo lolukhulu, Mbelangoma 

Distribution: Widespread in western and central Swaziland and on the 

Lebombo Range. 


Habitat: Bushveld, forest, riverine vegetation, and wooded grassland. 

Occasionally on rocky outcrops. 



General: The roots and bark are used medicinally as an aphrodisiac. 

Celtis gomphophylla Baker 

C. dioica, C. durandii 

Common name: Mock White Stinkwood, Rough-leaved White Stinkwood 

Siswati name: umVumvu 




Habitat: Lebombo forest. 


Conservation Status: Endangered. 

Celtis mildbraedii Engl. 

C. franksiae 

Common name: Red-fruit White Stinkwood 

Siswati name: uZinhlu, siCalaba 


Distribution: Restricted to Jilobi Forest on the Lebombo Range. 

Abundance: Rare. 


Land tenure: SNL. 

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered. 

General: In the past this species has been identified in small forest patches 

in Mlawula and at Forbes Reef. However, its existence in these areas at 

present needs verification and further surveying is required. Its location 

in Jilobi Forest is threatened by indiscriminate harvesting activities and 

alien weed invasion, especially Chromolaena odorata. 

60 SABONET Report No. 38

Chaetacme aristata E.Mey. ex Planch. 

C. nitida, C. serrata 

Common name: Thorny Elm 

Siswati name: umBambangwe 


Distribution: Widespread on the Lebombo Range, scattered in centralsouthern 

Swaziland, with an isolated patch near Ngwenya North in the 

west. 


Habitat: Forest, riparian thicket, bushveld and in forested ravines. 



Trema orientalis (L.) Blume 

Common name: Pigeonwood 

Siswati name: umBalakancane, Umphahlo, Nsakasaka 

Distribution: Widespread throughout most of Swaziland. 


Habitat: Near watercourses, along the margins of and in forests, wooded 

grassland, disturbed areas, and bushveld. Often a pioneer species. 



CHRYSOBALANACEAE 

Parinari capensis Harv. subsp. capensis 

Common name: Sand Apple 

Siswati name: umKhuna 

Distribution: Fairly widespread in the west, with patches in northern, 

central, and southern Swaziland. 

Abundance: Abundant. 

Habitat: Grows in colonies in high and medium-altitude grassland, wooded 

grassland, and bushveld. 



General: The fruit is eaten locally. 

Parinari curatellifolia Planch. ex Benth. 

P. mobola 

Common name: Mobola Plum 

Siswati name: maBulwa, umKhuna 


Distribution: Scattered in northwestern Swaziland, with a disjunct patch at 

Mahamba in the southwest. 

Abundance: Abundant to common. 

Habitat: Moist bushveld and grassland at medium and high altitudes. 




CELTIDACEAE 


CLUSIACEAE 

CLUSIACEAE 

Garcinia gerrardii Harv. ex Sim 

G. natalensis, G. transvaalensis 

Common name: Forest Mangosteen 

Siswati name: siKhelamfene 

Distribution: Sparsely scattered in western Swaziland. 


Habitat: Deep shade in evergreen forest. Often near water. 



Garcinia livingstonei T.Anderson 

Common name: African Mangosteen, Lowveld Mangosteen 

Siswati name: siNyula 

Distribution: Scattered on the Lebombo Range. 


Habitat: Rocky outcrops in Lebombo bushveld and on forest fringes. 



COMBRETACEAE 

Combretum apiculatum Sond. subsp. apiculatum 

Common name: Red Bushwillow 

Siswati name: imBondvo lemnyama, Imbondvo-lemhlophe 

Distribution: Scattered in eastern, central, and northern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, woodland, dry thicket, grassland, and on rocky hillsides. 



General: Termite resistant wood utilised for fuel and fence posts. The roots 

and bark are used for treating open wounds. 

Combretum collinum Fresen. subsp. suluense (Engl. & Diels) Okafor 

Common name: Weeping Bushwillow 

Siswati name: imBondvo lemhlophe 


Distribution: Widespread in northern and central Swaziland. 


Habitat: Open woodland and bushveld at medium altitudes. Often associated 

with granite. 



General: The branches are used for constructing the King’s kraal. 


Combretum edwardsii Exell 

Common name: Forest Climbing Bushwillow, Natal Bushwillow 


Distribution: Disjunct patches at Bulembu in the northwest and Ngudzeni 

in southern-central Swaziland. 


Habitat: Canopy of afromontane forest or on rocky hillsides in bushveld. 



Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) Sond. 

Common name: River Bushwillow 

Siswati name: umDvubu, imBondvo-lemhlophe 

Voucher specimen(s): 161, 313 

Distribution: Scattered in western and central Swaziland and on the 



Habitat: Near watercourses and on river banks at medium altitude. 



General: The roots are used for assisting with foetal abortion. 

Combretum hereroense Schinz 

C. transvaalense, C. rhodesicum 

Common name: Russet Bushwillow 

Siswati name: siHlalavane, Umphulumbu, Livimbela, umDvubu 

Distribution: Widespread in central and eastern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, thicket near drainage lines, and woodland. Often on 

termitaria. 



General: The wood is used for furniture and branches as a thatch support. 

Combretum imberbe Wawra 

Common name: Leadwood 

Siswati name: umMono, iMpondozendhlovu, Umphulumbu, liPhodva 

lendlovu 

Distribution: Fairly widespread in northeastern and central-eastern 

Swaziland. 


Habitat: Acacia nigrescens woodland and bushveld at low altitudes. Often 

near watercourses on alluvial soils. 



General: Very hard wood used in the past for railway sleepers. It is currently 

used for fence poles and fuel. The roots are used for fever reduction. This 

species has been known to live for hundreds of years and a dated specimen, 

although now dead, at Hlane National Park was estimated at being some 

1,050 years old (Roques pers. comm.). 

COMBRETACEAE 


COMBRETACEAE 

Combretum kraussii Hochst. 

Common name: Forest Bushwillow 

Siswati name: imBondvo lemhlophe 

Distribution: Widespread in western and south-central Swaziland, with an 

isolated patch at Muti-muti Nature Reserve on the Lebombo Range. 


Habitat: Canopy species in or near evergreen forest, among rocky outcrops 

in grassland, and moist bushveld. Often near water. 



Combretum microphyllum Klotzsch 

C. paniculatum subsp. microphyllum 

Common name: Flame Climbing Bushwillow 

Siswati name: umHlalanyosi 


Distribution: Sparsely scattered in south-central, eastern, and northern 

Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, dry woodland, and along river and stream banks at 

lower altitude. 



Combretum moggii Exell 

Common name: Rock Bush Willow 


Distribution: Isolated patch near Gege in southwestern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Among rocks on quartzite ridges in high-altitude grassland. 



General: Currently listed as an endemic to South Africa. 

Combretum molle R.Br. ex G.Don 

C. velutinum, C. gueinzii 

Common name: Velvet Bushwillow 

Siswati name: imBondvo lemhlophe, Umhlalavane, imBondvo lemnyama, 

inKukutwane 



Habitat: Occurs over a wide range of altitudes in bushveld, woodland, 

grassland, and on rocky hillsides. 



General: Termite resistant wood utilised for various implements and fence 

posts. The branches are used for firewood and constructing the King’s kraal. 


Combretum woodii Dummer 

Common name: Large-leaved Forest Bushwillow 

Siswati name: umBhondvo sehlatsi, imBondvo lemhlophe 

Voucher specimen(s): 42, 300, 662, 675, 677, 678, 789, 980 

Distribution: Widespread on the Lebombo Range, with patches in central 

Swaziland and along the Ugutugulo River in northwestern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Forest, forested ravines, riverine vegetation and bushveld. Often on 

rocky slopes. 



General: The trunk is used for building cattle yokes. 

Combretum zeyheri Sond. 

Common name: Large-fruit Bushwillow 

Siswati name: imMbondvo-lemhlophe 


Distribution: Scattered in northern, central, and eastern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, woodland, dry thicket, grassland, and on rocky hillsides. 



General: The termite resistant wood is utilised for timber and the branches 

for constructing the King’s kraal. 

Terminalia phanerophlebia Engl. & Diels 

Common name: Lebombo Cluster-leaf 

Siswati name: maMbonjwane, umaNgwe, umHonono, siHhomuhhomu 


Distribution: Scattered in central, northern, and eastern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, thicket, and on rocky hillsides. Often near rivers and 

streams. 



General: The wood is used for firewood and timber and the roots for medicinal 

purposes. 

Terminalia sericea Burch. ex DC. 

Common name: Silver Cluster-leaf 

Siswati name: umHonono, eMangwe, Mangwe lamhlophe, si Hhomuhhomu 

Distribution: Widespread in northern and central Swaziland. 


Habitat: Woodland and bushveld, normally associated with sandy soils. 

Often a pioneer forming dense stands. 



General: The bark is used as a poison antidote and the trunk for construction. 

COMBRETACEAE 


CONNARACEAE 

CONNARACEAE 

Cnestis polyphylla Lam. 

C. natalensis 

Common name: Itch-Pod 

Siswati name: liHlozi 

Distribution: Scattered in northwestern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Understorey of evergreen forest and on wooded hillsides. 



CORNACEAE 

Curtisia dentata (Burm. f.) C.A.Sm. 

C. faginea 

Common name: Assegaai 

Siswati name: liNcayi, umSenge, umBoyi 


Distribution: Scattered in western and northwestern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Afromontane forest, often along the margins, and on grassy 

mountain slopes. 


Conservation Status: Should be considered for Near Threatened status. 

General: The wood is used for carpentry and the bark to treat stomach 

complaints and for blood purification. This species is in high demand by 

the traditional medicine markets and it is becoming more difficult to find 

large mature specimens in the wild. 

EBENACEAE 

Diospyros dichrophylla (Gand.) De Winter 

Royena dichrophylla 

Common name: Poison Star-apple 

Siswati name: umChafutane lomnyama 


Distribution: Widespread on the Lebombo Range, with patches in central 

and southern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, along forest margins, and in wooded grassland. 



Diospyros galpinii (Hiern) De Winter 

Common name: Dwarf Star-apple, Dwarf Hairy Jackalberry 

Siswati name: Siphiphabantwana, iNdodemnyama 

Distribution: Scattered in western and central Swaziland, with patches on 

the Lebombo Range. 


Habitat: On grassy mountain slopes and in wooded grassland. 



General: The root is used medicinally. 


Diospyros lycioides Desf. subsp. guerkei (Kuntze) De Winter 

Royena guerkei 

Common name: Quilted Bluebush 

Siswati name: umChafutane lomhlophe, Lomnyama 


Distribution: Widespread in the west, with patches in central and eastern 

Swaziland. 


Habitat: Grassland, riverine vegetation, rocky outcrops, bushveld, and 

thicket. 




Diospyros lycioides Desf. subsp. nitens (Harv. ex Hiern) De Winter 

Royena nitens 

Common name: Silvery Bluebush 

Siswati name: umChafutane, Lomnyama 


Distribution: Isolated patches in the Manzini area in central Swaziland. 


Habitat: Grassy hillsides and wooded grassland. 

Land tenure: Urban and TDL. 


Diospyros lycioides Desf. subsp. sericea (Bernh.) De Winter 

Royena sericea 

Common name: Eastern Bluebush 

Siswati name: umChafutane, Lomnyama 


Distribution: Scattered in northern, central, and eastern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, grassland, along forest margins, and in wooded grassland. 




Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DC. 

Common name: Jackal-berry, African Ebony 

Siswati name: umToma 

Distribution: Restricted to northern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Low-lying riverine vegetation, bushveld, and woodland. Occasionally 

on termitaria. 

Land tenure: SNL and TDL. 


General: Several large specimens identified near the recently-flooded 

Driekoppies Dam have since been destroyed. 

EBENACEAE 


EBENACEAE 

Diospyros nummularia Brenan 

Diospyros natalensis subsp. nummularia 

Common name: Granite Jackal-berry 

Siswati name: umNama mhlope, uMasinda, Santinyana 

Distribution: Widespread on the Lebombo Range, with an isolated patch 

near Maguga Dam. 


Habitat: Lebombo forest margins, bushveld, and riverine thicket. Occasionally 

on rocky outcrops. 



General: The roots are used to make a potion for ensuring marital fidelity. 

Diospyros whyteana (Hiern) F.White 

Royena whyteana, R. lucida 

Common name: Bladdernut 

Siswati name: Santinyana, si Levu sembuti 

Distribution: Widespread in the west, with patches in central Swaziland 

and in Muti-muti Nature Reserve on the Lebombo Range. 


Habitat: Rocky outcrops in grassland, forest, wooded grassland, bushveld, 

and riverine bush. 



General: The roots are used for treating open wounds. 

Euclea crispa (Thunb.) Gürke Form B 

Common name: Escarpment Guarri 


Distribution: Fairly widespread throughout most of Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, rocky outcrops in grassland, bush clumps, evergreen 

forest, and thicket. 



General: The roots are used to prevent miscarriages and the branches for 

craftwork. 

Euclea crispa (Thunb.) Gürke Form C 

Common name: Commondale Guarri 


Distribution: Sparsely scattered in eastern, central and western Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, rocky outcrops in grassland and wooded grassland. 




Euclea daphnoides Hiern 

Common name: White-stem Guarri 

Siswati name: inChitsamuti, umDlelanyamatane, inDvodzemnyama 


Distribution: Scattered in eastern and central Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, thicket, riverine vegetation, and along forest margins. 



Euclea divinorum Hiern 

Common name: Magic Guarri 

Siswati name: iNdlelanyamatane-lebovu, Sijelele, umDlelanyamatane 


Distribution: Fairly widespread throughout eastern, central, and northern 

Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, thicket, woodland, and low-lying riverine vegetation. 



General: The roots are used to prevent miscarriages and for baby cleansing, 

and the branches for craftwork. 

Euclea natalensis A.DC. subsp. angustifolia F.White 

Common name: Natal Guarri, Natal Ebony, Bushveld Hairy Guarri 

Siswati name: umDlelanyamatane lomkhulu 




Habitat: Bushveld, thicket, riverine vegetation, bush clumps, forest, and 

along forest margins. 



Euclea natalensis A.DC. subsp. natalensis F.White 

E. multiflora 

Common name: Hairy Guarri 

Siswati name: iNdlelayenyamatane-lemnyama, umChitamuzi, 

umDlelanyamatane 


Distribution: Scattered throughout most of Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, riverine thicket, forest, and wooded grassland. 



EBENACEAE 

SABONET Report No. 38 69 

Euclea daphnoides Hiern - hierdie teks moet nie print nie 

Common name: White-stem Guarri

EBENACEAE 

Euclea schimperi (A.DC.) Dandy var. schimperi 

E. racemosa subsp. schimperi 

Common name: Glossy Guarri 

Siswati name: inChitsamuti, umDlelanyamatane, inDvodzemnyama 


Distribution: Scattered in eastern and central Swaziland, with patches in 

the southwest. 


Habitat: Bushveld, riverine vegetation, thicket, wooded grassland, and 

along forest margins. 



Euclea undulata Thunb. var. myrtina (Burch.) Hiern 

Common name: Common Guarri, Small-leaved Guarri 

Siswati name: saNtinyana 

Distribution: Scattered in eastern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, often in Acacia nigrescens woodland, thicket, and lowlying 

riverine bush. 


Conservation Status: Data Deficient. Should be considered for Least 

Concern status. 

ERICACEAE 

Erica drakensbergensis Guthrie & Bolus 

Common name: Drakensberg Tree Erica 

Distribution: Widespread in northwestern Swaziland. 


Habitat: High-altitude grassland. 



Vaccinium exul Bolus 

Common name: African Blueberry 


Distribution: Restricted to northwestern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Steep rocky hillsides in high-altitude grassland and fringes of 

afromontane forest. 




ERYTHROXYLACEAE 

Erythroxylum delagoense Schinz 

E. brownianum, E. pulchellum 

Common name: Small-leaved Coca Tree 

Siswati name: umNeyana, luPhehlwane, Likhukhu 


Distribution: Scattered in northern, southwestern and central Swaziland, 

and on the Lebombo Range. 


Habitat: Bushveld, woodland, and along forest margins. Often on rocky 

hillsides in wooded grassland. 



General: The roots are used during sangoma washing ceremonies, as an 

emetic and herb booster. 

Erythroxylum emarginatum Thonn. 

Common name: African Coca Tree 

Siswati name: umNeyana 

Distribution: Widespread in western and central Swaziland and on the 



Habitat: Understorey in evergreen forest, along forest margins, and in 

bushveld. Often on rocky outcrops in grassland. 



ESCALLONIACEAE 

Choristylis rhamnoides Harv. 

Common name: False Shiny-leaf, False Dogwood 

Siswati name: inDlenyatsi, liKlolo 

Distribution: Scattered in western Swaziland. 


Habitat: In and along the margins of evergreen forest and in bush clumps in 

montane grassland. 



General: The leaves and fruit are eaten locally. 

EUPHORBIACEAE 

Acalypha glabrata Thunb. var. glabrata 

Common name: Forest False-nettle 

Siswati name: umSongo 


Distribution: Scattered in eastern, central, northern, and southwestern 

Swaziland. 


Habitat: Often forms dense stands in forest, riverine thicket, and bushveld. 



ERYTHROXYLACEAE 


EUPHORBIACEAE 

Acalypha sonderiana Müll.Arg. 

Common name: Thorny False-nettle 


Distribution: Isolated patch on Makhwekhweti Hills in central-southern 

Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld. 



Andrachne ovalis (Sond.) Müll.Arg. 

Common name: False Lightning Bush 

Siswati name: umBesa 


Distribution: Restricted to northwestern Swaziland near Bulembu and 

along the Mkhomazane river. 


Habitat: Along the margins of and in evergreen forest. 

Land tenure: TDL and SNL. 


Androstachys johnsonii Prain 

Common name: Lebombo Ironwood 

Siswati name: umSibitsi, buKhunkhu 

Distribution: Restricted to the Lebombo Mountains. 


Habitat: Forms almost pure stands on rocky hillsides in the Lebombos. 

Land tenure: PA and SNL. 


General: The wood is hard and termite-resistant and utilised for timber and 

charcoal. There is a problem with illegal harvesting in the Lebombo 

Mountains, especially by neighbouring Mozambicans. A small number of 

plant species have been noted as only being found in association with 

Androstachys thickets, thus comprising a possible unique plant community. 

Antidesma venosum E.Mey. ex Tul. 

Common name: Tassel Berry 

Siswati name: umHlala-mahuhulu, Bhekindonda, Umshongi, umHlalanyoni 

Distribution: Widespread in central and northern Swaziland and on the 



Habitat: Bushveld, riverine vegetation, wooded grassland, and along forest 

margins. 



General: The fruit is eaten locally and the branches are used for firewood 

and to treat barrenness. 


Bridelia cathartica Bertol. f. subsp. melanthesoides (Baill.) J.Léonard var. 

melanthesoides forma melanthesoides 

Common name: Blue Sweet-berry 

Siswati name: umNwangasi 


Distribution: Scattered in the east, with patches in northern and central 

Swaziland. 


Habitat: Woodland, along forest margins, in bushveld and riverine thicket. 

Often on rocky terrain. 



Bridelia micrantha (Hochst.) Baill. 

Common name: Mitzeeri, Coastal Goldenleaf 

Siswati name: umHlala-magcwababa, imPhisi makhata, umHlalamahubhulu 


Distribution: Scattered in northwestern, central-western, and southwestern 

Swaziland, with an isolated patch in Manzimnyame Gorge on the Lebombo 

Range. 


Habitat: Riverine vegetation, forest, and wooded grassland. 



General: The branches are used for kraal construction. 

Clutia affinis Sond. 

Common name: Water Lightning-bush 


Distribution: Isolated patches in northwestern and southwestern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Along mountain streams and rivers and damp areas near forest 

margins. 



Clutia pulchella L. var. pulchella 

C. galpinii 

Common name: Lightning-bush 


Distribution: Scattered in western Swaziland and on the Lebombo Range. 


Habitat: Around the margins of evergreen forest, in grassland, and wooded 

grassland. 



EUPHORBIACEAE 


EUPHORBIACEAE 

Croton gratissimus Burch. var. gratissimus 

Common name: Lavender Croton 

Siswati name: uMwulukwa 


Distribution: Scattered in central, eastern and northern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, riverine vegetation, and along forest margins. Often in 

rocky places. 



General: The roots are used for vomiting. 

Croton menyharthii Pax 

Common name: Rough-leaved Croton 

Siswati name: Umhuluka, Mwuluka 


Distribution: Scattered in central-eastern and northeastern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, riverine vegetation and dry thicket. Often in rocky places. 



General: The leaves are used for medicinal purposes and the roots as a good 

luck charm. 

Croton steenkampianus Gerstner 

Common name: Tonga Croton, Marsh Fever-berry 

Siswati name: uMwuluka 

Distribution: Restricted to Manzimnyame Gorge in the Lebombo Range. 


Habitat: Riverine vegetation, often in sand. 

Land tenure: TDL. 

Conservation Status: Presently categorized as Data Deficient. Should be 

considered for Near-Threatened status. 

General: A representative endemic/near-endemic to the Maputaland Centre 

of Plant Diversity (Van Wyk & Smith, 2001). The species is threatened by 

the alien invasive plants, Chromolaena odorata and Lantana camara, 

which pose a threat to the natural vegetation in the gorge. The bark is 

used as a charm to bring luck in business. 

Croton sylvaticus Hochst. 

Common name: Forest Croton 

Siswati name: Nyakeni 

Distribution: Scattered in eastern, northern, and central Swaziland. 


Habitat: Forest and riparian vegetation. 




Drypetes arguta (Müll.Arg.) Hutch. 

Common name: Water Ironplum 

Siswati name: umKashwane 


Distribution: Widespread in the Lebombo Mountains, with patches on 

Sinceni Mountain and Makhwekhweti Hills in south-central Swaziland. 


Habitat: Lebombo forest, forested ravines, and bushveld. Often near 

drainage lines. 



Drypetes gerrardii Hutch. var. gerrardii 

D. battiscombei 

Common name: Forest Ironplum 

Siswati name: umHlwakele 


Distribution: Scattered on the Lebombo Mountains and in northwestern 

and central-western Swaziland. 


Habitat: Understorey in evergreen forest and wooded ravines. Often along 

streams. 



Drypetes mossambicensis Hutch. 

Common name: Lowveld Ironplum 


Distribution: Isolated patches in the Mbuluzi Gorge on the Lebombo 

Mountains. 

Abundance: Rare. 

Habitat: Androstachys thicket and bushveld. 

Land tenure: PA. 

Conservation Status: Least Concern. Should be considered for Near 

Threatened status. 

Drypetes reticulata Pax 

Common name: False Forest Ironplum 

Voucher specimen(s): 194, 503, 666, 758, 777 



Habitat: Lebombo forest. Often on rocky terrain, near drainage lines. 



EUPHORBIACEAE 


EUPHORBIACEAE 

Erythrococca menyharthii (Pax) Prain 

Common name: Northern Red-berry 

Voucher specimen(s): 248, 307, 550, 633, 1029 

Distribution: Scattered in the west, with patches in central Swaziland and 

near Siteki on the Lebombo Range. 


Habitat: Open bushveld and wooded grassland. Often on rocky outcrops or 

termitaria. 



Euphorbia cooperi N.E.Br. ex A.Berger var. cooperi 

Common name: Bushveld Candelabra Euphorbia 

Siswati name: umHlonhlo 

Distribution: Scattered in eastern, south-central, and northwestern 

Swaziland. 


Habitat: On rocky hillsides and koppies in bushveld and wooded grassland. 



General: The sap is used as a bladder purger. 

Euphorbia evansii Pax 

Common name: Lowveld Euphorbia, Small-toothed Euphorbia 

Siswati name: umHlonhlo, siHlonhlwana 

Distribution: Scattered in central, central-western, and northwestern 

Swaziland, with patches on the Lebombo Range. 


Habitat: Bushveld, woodland, and dry forest. Usually on rocky outcrops. 



General: The sap is used as a bladder purger. 

Euphorbia grandicornis Goebel ex N.E.Br. subsp. grandicornis 

Common name: Bigthorn Euphorbia 


Distribution: Sparsely scattered the northeast, with an isolated patch near 

Bovane in central-southern Swaziland. 


Habitat: Forms robust colonies in low-altitude dry bushveld. Usually on 

poorly drained soils. 



General: A representative endemic/near-endemic to the Maputaland Centre 

of Plant Diversity (Van Wyk & Smith, 2001). The whole plant is used as a 

lightning protector. 


Euphorbia grandidens Haw. 

Common name: Valley-bush Euphorbia 



Habitat: Lebombo forest and forested ravines. Usually in rocky places. 



Euphorbia ingens E.Mey. ex Boiss. 

Common name: Common Tree Euphorbia, Naboom 

Siswati name: umHlonhlo, iShupa 



Habitat: Bushveld, woodland, thicket, and wooded grassland. Usually on 

rocky outcrops. 



General: The sap is used to poison fish and the whole plant to protect 

against lightning. 

Euphorbia keithii R.A.Dyer 

Common name: Swazi Euphorbia 




Habitat: On rocky ridges in the Lebombo Mountains. 


Conservation Status: Critically Endangered. 

General: The species is an endemic to Swaziland and a representative 

endemic/near-endemic to the Maputaland Centre of Plant Diversity 

(Van Wyk & Smith, 2001). 

Euphorbia tirucalli L. 

Common name: Rubber-hedge Euphorbia 

Siswati name: umDvute, Umnduze 



Habitat: Bushveld, woodland, rocky slopes, thicket, along dry forest margins, 

and in low-lying riverine vegetation. 



General: Used as security hedging around homesteads and kraals. The fruit 

is used for medicinal purposes and the roots as a cleanser. 

EUPHORBIACEAE 


EUPHORBIACEAE 

Euphorbia triangularis Desf. 

Common name: River Euphorbia 


Distribution: Scattered on the Lebombo Range and in central Swaziland, 

with patches in the north. 


Habitat: On rocky outcrops and koppies in bushveld, in river valleys, and 

dry forest. 



Excoecaria madagascariensis (Baill.) Müll.Arg. 

E. sylvestris 

Common name: Red-ears 


Distribution: Restricted to Mtibhlati Gorge on the Lebombo Mountains. 

Abundance: Very rare, only a single specimen found. 

Habitat: Along the valley floor in dry evergreen Lebombo forest. 

Land tenure: TDL. 

Conservation Status: Should be considered for Critically Endangered 

status. 

General: The natural vegetation in the area is threatened by invasive alien 

plants, namely Chromolaena odorata and Melia azedarach. Adjacent areas 

are being cleared for cultivation. The nearest locality to this finding is 

Chirinda Forest in Zimbabwe, some 700 km away, representing a considerable 

disjunction for the species. It is presumed to represent a relic population that existed when its preferred 

forest type occurred over a broader region. It is imperative that some effective management and 

protection of the area is implemented urgently. 

Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Voigt subsp. virosa 

Securinega virosa, Phyllanthus virosus, F. microcarpa 

Common name: White-berry Bush, Wart-stem 

Siswati name: umHlanganisa, Bhubhubhu 

Distribution: Scattered in eastern, northern, and central Swaziland. 


Habitat: Bushveld, woodland thicket, and along forest margins. 



General: The fruit is fed to chickens to encourage breeding. 

Heywoodia lucens Sim 

Common name: Stink Ebony 

Siswati name: umNdebelele 





Conservation Status: Endangered.

Pterocelastrus rostratus (Thunb.) Walp. Pterocelastrus ... - SABONET

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