Forest Toad Tree
Tabernaemontana ventricosa
Flora
| At a Glance | |
| Family | Apocynaceae (oleander family) |
| Seasonality | Evergreen |
| Height | 4 - 8m (max 15m) |
| SA Tree Number | 645 |
| Conservation Status | Not threathened |
Description
A small to medium elegant, slender tree with smooth, greyish bark and large, glossy dark-green leaves.
Leaves are oblong to elliptic, leathery, glossy dark-green above and slightly lighter below and hairless.
Distribution
Understory or on margins of evergreen forest. Usually in deep shade. Found in the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal. It is also found in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Flower - Fruit
Creamy-white, waxy flowers, which are spirally twisted up to 2.5cm diameter. They have a sweet fragrance.
The fruits are large and always found in pairs (mericarps), dark/light mottled green, smooth with 2 faint ridges. On splitting, the fruits reveal the bright orange pulp and dark seeds, representing a grinning toad.
Uses
The timber is said to be insect-free and can be used for planking. Birds and monkeys enjoy the fruit and the flowers are good honey-bee forage.
Local Information
Quite common in Krantzkloof – look out for the white flowers on the ground or the unusual fruit!
Interesting Facts
This plant oozes latex if either a leaf or fruit is picked.
It is excellent for gardeners wanting to bring nature back into their garden. It attracts birds, insects and small mammals.