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Brabejum stellatifolium L.

Species

Angiosperms > Proteales > Proteaceae > Brabejum

Characteristics

A tall tree reaching a height of 8 m, capable of resprouting at the base when burned. Leaves in whorls of 6, occasionally 4-9 (hence 'stellate' meaning starlike), simple, 100-160 mm long, 15-25 mm wide, margin sharply toothed; stalk 10-15 mm long. Young leaves rusty golden. Flowerhead a dense, spike-like raceme, 60-90 mm long, 20 mm wide, with flowers arranged in many whorls of 10 flowers each. Flowers 5 mm long, with 4 totally free perianth segments, with a long stalk, subtended by a deciduous, velvety, brown bract, anthers borne on stalks. Fruits almond-shaped, 20-45 mm long, 30 mm across, initially magenta, turning velvet-brown.
More
An evergreen tree or shrub. It grows to 7.5 m tall. It has a thick greyish brown bark. It has spreading branches. The leaves are long and sword shaped. They are 15 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. They are arranged in rings of six leaves. The leaves have irregular teeth along the edge and a prominent midrib. The young leaves are soft and golden. The flowers are white and hairy. They have a sweet scent. They occur in dense clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit is 2-4 cm across and one seeded. The seed is enclosed in a golden velvety coat.
Widely spreading tree to 8 m. Leaves in whorls of (4-)6(-9), oblanceolate, toothed. Flowers in dense racemes, white. Fruits almond-shaped, velvety.
Life form perennial
Growth form tree
Growth support free-standing
Foliage retention evergreen
Sexuality -
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Mature width (meter) -
Mature height (meter) 7.5
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Nitrogen fixer -
Photosynthetic pathway c3

Environment

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. Trees grow along streams. It needs moist, well drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.
Light -
Soil humidity -
Soil texture 5-6
Soil acidity -
Soil nutriment -
Hardiness (USDA) 8-10

Usage

The fruit of the tree is eaten. The seed were well soaked to remove the bitterness then roasted and used in coffee. CAUTION: The seeds are poisonous unless well treated.
Uses coffee substitute food material medicinal poison
Edible fruits nuts
Therapeutic use Poison (unspecified)
Human toxicity -
Animal toxicity -

Cultivation

It can be grown from fresh seed or cuttings. The trees form a good hedge.
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Images

Leaf

Brabejum stellatifolium leaf picture by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Fruit

Brabejum stellatifolium fruit picture by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Brabejum stellatifolium fruit picture by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Brabejum stellatifolium fruit picture by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Distribution

Brabejum stellatifolium world distribution map, present in South Africa

Conservation status

Brabejum stellatifolium threat status: Least Concern

Identifiers

LSID urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:703232-1
WFO ID wfo-0000570189
COL ID MS9P
BDTFX ID -
INPN ID -
Wikipedia (EN)
Wikipedia (FR) Link

Synonyms

Brabejum stellare Brabejum stellatifolium Brabejum stellatum Brabejum stellulifolium Macadamia verticillata Brabyla capensis Brabejaria verticillata Helicia verticillata
WorldFloraDB 2024