Description
Catha edulis (Celastraceae). Bushman’s Tea (e), Boesmanstee (a), umHlwazi (z), iGqwaka (x). A small, hardy, fast-growing, evergreen tree with a slender, upright canopy. The glossy green leaves droop, giving the tree a weeping look. Small creamy-white flowers are produced in clusters durin summer. It is used medicinally against respiratory diseases. In tropical Africa and the Arabic states the leaves are used as a stimulating narcotic drug by chewing the leaves or brewing them as a tea. Butterflies are irresistibly attracted to the flowers. Size 2 to 7m. S.A. No. 404. Sowing : Sow seeds in springtime. Locality : Pretoria. Date of harvest : March 2013
