An evergreen tree named after an amateur French Botanist, Nuxia floribunda is an attractive moisture loving tree characterised by a dense rounded crown. This tree usually has a single trunk and branches from the lower part of the trunk.
Distribution of the Forest elder is mainly the Lowveld and eastern seaboard in South Africa. It is found growing naturally in Montane forests and along rivers in high lying areas.
The bark is hairy on young branches and becomes grey brown, fissured and flaking on older branches and stems. Leaves of this tree are glossy and thinly textured that turns purple in autumn. The white showy flowers produced by the Forest elder tree in winter attract many insects which in turn attract many insect-eating birds to the garden.
Due to its small mature size, Nuxia floribunda is suitable for planting in small gardens and containers. The root system is non-invasive making this tree suitable for planting next to paved areas and buildings. The stem of this tree often makes interesting forms as it twists and bends into architecturally interesting shapes, which is unique to each tree. N. floribunda is fairly hardy and has moderate tolerance to drought. In colder areas, it is recommended to try and plant the tree in a sheltered, North or West facing position.
Nuxia floribunda is a neat and attractive small tree that grows well in either full sun or semi-shade.
You may find stock of this plant at Random Harvest.