Psydrax obovata subsp. obovata

Psydrax obovata subsp. obovata, commonly known as the coastal pioneer quar or the black-alder and scientifically previously as Canthium obovatum, is a shrub or tree reaching heights ranging from 2 m to 12 m, occasionally 20 m (SA Tree List No. 711). The somewhat spreading crown is mostly sparse.

The subspecies distribution is coastal from the east of the Western Cape, through the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, extending to Mozambique and further in tropical Africa. The photo was taken at Nature’s Valley.

The habitat is montane forest, often on rocky outcrops and forest margins, also on coastal dunes. The tree is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century (Venter, 2012; Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; Pooley, 1993; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).