Morella serrata (Lam.)

국표에 없다.

Description

A shrub or small tree up to 4m. Bark grey to brownish and rough but pale grey and smoothish when young. Leaves narrowly elliptic, young leaves markedly yellow, mature leaves yellowish-green, conspicuously gland-dotted, aromatic; tapering to base and apex, margin more or less conspicuously serrate. Flowers small, in short spikes; male spike short and squat and rusty-red, with whitish-yellow anthers; female spike longer, more slender and green.

Fruits small, spherical, about 5mm in diameter, bluish-black when ripe, with a waxy coating.

The fruits of this tree, also its stems and leaves, produce oil: that of the fruits is pure and greenish-yellow in colour, while oil produced from stems and leaves has an aromatic smell resembling Eucalytptus. Traditionally, branches used to be immersed in boiling water and a substance known as berry wax (true fat rich in fatty acids) skimmed off as it rose to the surface. Leaves if eaten cause severe headaches.

Habitat

Along streambanks, in forests and coastal flats

Flower Date

August to September

Morella serrata (fernkloof.org.za)

https://youtu.be/BFc46wckhuM