Traditionally the milkwood has a number of medicinal uses: the roots have been used to aid the healing of fractured bones and an infusion of the bark is said to dispel nightmares.
Are Milkwood berries edible?
Although also occurring inland, milkwoods are found mainly along the coast from the Cape Peninsula to northern Zululand. The small, yellowy-green flowers have an unusual sour-smell (Jan-July). The edible, juicy, black fruit (July-Jan) are enjoyed by birds and baboons.
What is a Milkwood tree?
Milkwoods are hardy, slow-growing trees with deep-green, leathery leaves and rough grayish-brown bark. Rarely are they found with a straight trunk. Instead their gnarled, sprawling branches create sheltering thickets that are home to a variety of wild life.
Why do Milkwood trees smell?
Those of us that live here are of course aware that it emanates from the milkwoods and that the stench is to pollinators an attractive indication that the greenish yellow milkwood flowers are worth visiting.
Why is Milkwood protected?
Three milkwood trees are under special protection as a result of their connection with historical events: In Woodstock, Cape Town the 'Treaty Tree' stands where in 1806, after the Battle of Blaauwberg, the Cape was formally handed over by the Dutch defenders to the British.
Is Milkwood trees protected?
Historically, dense forests of large milkwood trees used to exist along the coast and bays of Cape Town, especially at Noordhoek, Macassar and Gordons Bay. The milkwood is not endangered but it is one of South Africa's Protected Trees, which means that it is illegal to damage, move or destroy them.
Can you trim a Milkwood tree?
MAY I PRUNE A MILKWOOD (Sideroxylon inerme) ON MY PROPERTY WITHOUT A LICENCE? For pruning or de-limbing of trees on private property in established urban areas and around any homesteads, the following exemption applies: UP TO A MAXIMUM OF 25% of the crown can be pruned, without mutilating the tree.
Will milkweed take over my garden?
If you already have common milkweed in the garden, you can prevent further spread by removing immature seed pods. Since milkweed is a perennial, it will emerge again in the same spot next summer, but its spread will be more limited. For the ultimate butterfly habitat, leave some common milkweed on the outskirts.Aug 1, 2018
Where should you not plant milkweed?
For these reasons, the Xerces Society does not recommend planting milkweed (non-native or native) close to overwintering sites (within 5-10 miles of the coast) in Central and Northern coastal California where it did not occur historically (see State of the Overwintering Sites Report for additional information).
Is milkweed good to have around?
Milkweeds are the required host plants for monarch butterfly caterpillars (female monarchs lay their eggs on milkweeds) and their flowers provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. By planting milkweed, you can provide habitat for monarchs and also attract and support pollinators.