Euclea divinorum plentiful here

Large stands of Euclea divinorum shrubs are sometimes seen in parts of the Lowveld’s brackish floodplains. The generic name, Euclea, is taken from the Greek word eukleia meaning of good report or famous. This accolade wasn’t earned by the Euclea or guarri trees, but by some of their illustrious cousins called Diospyros, particularly the ebony and African ebony trees that provide outstanding timber.

These medium sized shrubs or small trees, magic guarri or E. divinorum, possess a charm and allure of their own. The magic guarri wood is not used in cooking fires by the indigenous people out of respect for the tree’s supernatural qualities.

Some superstitious residents may still hang a stick of magic guarri by the door as a good luck charm. To touch upon another common human motivator: The tolerance of the roots of E. divinorum for heavy metals in the soil has brought expectations of gold deposits where these trees grow (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; www.plantzafrica.com). 

So, what will it be: a twig by your front door, or a prospecting spree?