Tarchonanthus camphoratus in the Pilanesberg

The camphor bush, Tarchonanthus camphoratus is noted for its strong survival tendencies. Notwithstanding wide-ranging challenges faced in varied habitat and climatic conditions, effective adaptations safeguard this durable and variable feature of many African landscapes.

The tree may be burnt to ground level in bush fires but will resprout strongly. It stays alive through extended periods of drought. Poor soil of various compositions is taken in its unmoving stride. It may be tossed about in desert winds and will just wave a branch at all that may be around. Such resilience is not always appreciated. Many farmers look upon this hardy tree as a noxious weed, hard to eradicate.

This one in the Pilanesberg was bearing yellowish to pale grey flowerheads in midwinter, peak time of the trees flowering season. The rest of the flowering season? All year round (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.plantzafrica.com).