Umdoni tree
Afrikaans name: Waterbessie
Umdoni Tree which is also known as the Water Berry Tree
Photo © Steven Herbert
Syzigium cordatum
The Umdoni tree is often called the Water Berry - a name which arises from it being found near rivers and streams and the clumps of berries that it bears.
It is an attractive tree that reaches a height of up to 15 metres.
The leaves of the Umdoni provide browsing for some mammals such as Kudus. The fruit is eaten by Vervet Monkeys, Bush Babies and some birds. Some people also eat the fruit.
The bark can be ground and used as a poison to kill fish.
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
What s that Tree? - Author: Eugene Moll - Published: 2011 - Page: 46Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 84
What Tree is That? - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1967 - Page: 67
Trees of Kruger - Author: Braam and Piet van Wyk - Published: 2023 - Page: 133
Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 833
The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 372
Sasol First Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1999 - Page: 52
Sixty-six Transvaal Trees - Author: B de Winter, M de Winter & D Killick - Published: 1996 - Page: 130
Sappi Wild Flower Guide - Mpumalanga and Northern Province - Author: Jo Onderstall - Published: 1996 - Page: 144
Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - 2nd edition - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 2004 - Page: 248
Sappi Tree Spotting: Bushveld - 2nd edition - Author: R Grant and V Thomas - Published: 2005 - Page: 252
Photographic Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: B, P, and B-E van Wyk - Published: 2000 - Page: 301
Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 391
Know Them by their Fruit - Author: AT Ankiewicz - Published: 2021 - Page: 104
KwaZulu-Natal - A celebration of biodiversity - Author: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - Published: 2002 - Page: 105
Piet van Wyk s Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 1st editi - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 1988 - Page: 182
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 167
Healing Trees & Plants of the Lowveld - Author: Dumes, Loon and Bester - Published: 2009 - Page: 63
Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 5th edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2008 - Page: 182
A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1977 - Page: 243
A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Revised - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 266
Everyone s Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 84
Adventure Trails in Kirstenbosch - Author: Daphne Mackie - Published: 2012 - Page: 53
For more info: SANBI
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