Cussonia spicata
| Spiked cabbage tree | |
|---|---|
| C. spicata photographed at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden, South Africa | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Araliaceae |
| Genus: | Cussonia |
| Species: | C. spicata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cussonia spicata | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Cussonia spicata, commonly known as the spiked cabbage tree or common cabbage tree, is species of tree in the family Araliaceae. Native to East Africa, this species is widely distributed from South Africa in the south to South Sudan in the north.
Distribution and habitat
Cussonia spicata is widely distributed in East Africa, occurring in Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, as well as the islands of the Comoros and Mayotte. It grows in both dry and riverine forests, rainforests, wooded grasslands, and savannahs at altitudes of 200–2,550 m (660–8,370 ft) above sea level.[1]
Description
Larger specimens develop a sturdy trunk and a rounded, spreading canopy, and can reach a height of 15 meters. The attractive leaves grow from the end of thick branches to form rounded heads. The species name spicata means "spike-like", and suggests the arrangement of its flowers.[3]
Uses
Cussonia spicata is harvested locally for its wood, roots, and leaves to be used as food, medicine, and timber. The wood is light and perishable but is used to construct beehives, wooden bicycle wheels, doors, mole traps, tool handles, and utensils. The succulent roots are edible and have been used as a traditional malaria treatment.[1][4] The leaves are harvested for fodder and are used in traditional medicine for treating indigestion.[4] It is used both locally and internationally as an ornamental plant.[5]
In English it is commonly known as the cabbage tree, spiky cabbage tree, common cabbage tree, or elephant's toothbrush.[1][4][5] Common names in other languages include:[4][5][6]
References
- ^ a b c d Harvey-Brown, Y. (2024). "Cussonia spicata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2024 e.T208173681A208351254. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-1.RLTS.T208173681A208351254.en. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ "Cussonia spicata Thunb". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 8 March 2026.
- ^ Hankey, Andrew (December 2004). "Cussonia spicata Thunb". plantzafrica.com. SANBI. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ a b c d Dharani, Najma (2019). Field Guide to Common Trees & Shrubs of East Africa (3rd ed.). Cape Town: Struik Nature. p. 97. ISBN 9781775846086. OCLC 1107862638.
- ^ a b c Hankey, Andrew (December 2004). "Cussonia spicata". PlantsZAfrica. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ^ Hyde, M.A.; Wursten, B.T.; Ballings, P.; Coates Palgrave, M. "Species information: Cussonia spicata". Flora of Zimbabwe. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
External links
- Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Cussonia spicata". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.