Common Cabbage Tree (Cussonia spicata)

Family Araliaceae

This is a tree which most people know and in Afrikaans goes by the name of Kiepersol. There are various species of it though but each still looks like it belongs to the same family but their leaves are quite different.

Mostly these trees are single-stemmed so this one was unusual in that it had three. They grow up to 10m in height and their natural habitat it through the central eastern areas down to the Cape.

 The roots of this tree can be eaten in times of need and the Zulu people use it to treat malaria but one wonders if it is effective?


The leaves provide valuable fodder for stock.