White Ironwood

Afrikaans name: Witysterhout

White Ironwood tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

Vepris lanceolata

The White Ironwood is found along the eastern region of South Africa from the Western Cape through to KwaZulu-Natal. It is also found in the Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces but not at lower altitudes. They grow to around 15 metres in height but some specimens can reach 30 metres. The leaves are dark green and are arranged in groups of three. The bark is whitish-grey and sometimes shows a pinkish tinge. The flowers are white and star-shaped but are tiny. The fruits are small and berry-like. They change from green to black when ripe.

References and further reading

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 416

Tsitsikama Trees - Author: Prof. HB Rycroft - Published: 1980 - Page: 44

What s that Tree? - Author: Eugene Moll - Published: 2011 - Page: 118

The Gardener - 2020/06 - Author: - Published: 2020 - Page: 32

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 1 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 45

Plants of the Baviaanskloof - Author: D Euston-Brown & M Kruger - Published: 2023 - Page: 458

Pocket Guide - Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2013 - Page: 64

Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - 2nd edition - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 2004 - Page: 260

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 188

Photographic Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: B, P, and B-E van Wyk - Published: 2000 - Page: 314

Eastern Cape Veld Flowers - 2nd edition - Author: Eily Gledhill - Published: 1981 - Page: 144

Everyone s Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 45

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 58

Know Them by their Fruit - Author: AT Ankiewicz - Published: 2021 - Page: 44

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 76

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Revised - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 171

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1977 - Page: 156

For more info: SANBI

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