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

Whats that Tree? - Author: Eugene Moll - Published: 2011 - Page: 46

Wild 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 Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - 2nd edition - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 2004 - Page: 248

Sappi Wild Flower Guide - Mpumalanga and Northern Province - Author: Jo Onderstall - Published: 1996 - Page: 144

Sappi Tree Spotting: Bushveld - 2nd edition - Author: R Grant and V Thomas - Published: 2005 - Page: 252

Piet van Wyks Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 1st edition - 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

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 391

Photographic Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: B, P, and B-E van Wyk - Published: 2000 - Page: 301

Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 5th edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2008 - Page: 182

Adventure Trails in Kirstenbosch - Author: Daphne Mackie - Published: 2012 - Page: 53

Everyones Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 84

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Revised - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 266

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1977 - Page: 243

For more info: SANBI

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List of South African Plants