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Maytenus undata

by Johan Wentzel

Maytenus undata
Common Name
Koko tree
Plant Type
Tree
Maytenus undata has leathery, holly-like foliage that is variable in size and colour from pale to dark green. It has small creamy-white, fragrant flowers. Plant in semi-shade or sun. Makes a good garden subject or container plant.
Plant Description

Maytenus undata is a hardy evergreen tree with a variable height depending on the area it is growing, Maytenus undata is usually  a multi-stemmed shrub [2-3m tall] or a single trunked tree that can grow up to 5m. It is a common tree along the margins of forest, in woodland and on rocky hillsides, often among boulders and on termite mounds. Its provincial distribution stretches from Eastern Cape to North West.

The Koko tree has simple alternate, holly-like leaves that are leathery and shiny on top. The bark is grey-brown, smooth to finely fissured and flaking to reveal pinkish deeper bark. Yellow-green fragrant flowers produced in summer appear in small heads of 2–10 flowers. A sweet fragrance from these blooms attract a wide range of insects and birds to the tree.  After flowering, Maytenus undata bears shiny orange -brown seeds that are covered by a thin aril that is orange and soft.

Maytenus undata is ideal for planting in small gardens as well as in containers. Due to its evergreen growth habit, this tree can be planted as a wind barrier. The Koko tree grows well in full sun and semi-shade conditions. It is frost tolerant and grows well in loamy soils.

You may find stock of this plant at Random Harvest.

Afrikaanse Naam
Kokoboom
Hardiness
Hardy
Position
Sun
Water Requirements
Water wise
Evergreen
Evergreen
Growth Rate
Moderate
Flowering Time
Summer
Flower Colour
Cream
Shape
Upright
Soil
Loam
Plant Size
5m
Region
Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Limpopo
Habitat
Savannah, Rocky outcrops
Grown by Wildflower Nursery
No

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Random Harvest Nursery: 082 553 0598

Jonathan Taylor: 0768305242

Email: [email protected]

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