Trichilia emetica subsp. emetica, Natal mahogany

Fruiting time for a Trichilia emetica subsp. emetica tree, the Natal mahogany, is a festive affair. The highlight is provided when the pale brown, nearly spherical capsules start to split open, revealing the scarlet arils around their black, egg-shaped seeds. Many large fruit clusters are scattered among the leaves during summer and early autumn of a big harvest year.

The small, bell-shaped flowers that bore them, creamy green and fragrant, came and went in the period late winter to late spring. The flowers are visited by sunbirds for their nectar. The fruits are eaten by baboons, antelopes and monkeys, the latter also eating the flowers (Schmidt, et al, 2002; Pooley, 1993; Codd, 1951; iNaturalist).