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:: Calodendrum
capensis ::
Cape
Chestnut
The Cape Chestnut ,
a member of the same family as citrus, the Rutaceae,
is native to South Africa . Calodendrum is
a genus comprised of only one species. The Cape Chestnut
is an extremely showy flowering tree that is briefly
deciduous or evergreen, slow growing, and only partially
frost hardy. It is widely cultivated as a street and
park tree in the southern hemisphere and warmer parts
of the U.S.
Calodendrum capensis is
a shapely tree that grows to heights of 50 feet, developing
a wide, dome-shaped crown. The glossy, oval leaves are
dotted with translucent oil glands. In the late spring
or early summer the tree becomes laden with large, light
pink flowers standing out from the ends of each branch
on a terminal panicle. The nut-like intensely bitter
seeds of this tree are a source oil for soap, and the
timber is also used in woodworking (Mabberley). There
are only two specimens of this species on campus. The
name of this tree comes from the Greek words kalos ,
meaning beautiful, and dendron , meaning tree. Capensis is
derived from the fact that the tree originates near the
Cape of Good Hope , South Africa. |
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