07.10.2013 Views

View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

3.2.8 Scientific name : Faurea saligna Harv.<br />

Zulu name : Isigqalaba<br />

Common name : Transvaal Beech<br />

Figure 3.11 The Faurea saligna plant.<br />

(www.plantzafrica.com/efg/faureasal.htm)<br />

Botanical description<br />

Faurea saligna is a small to medium-sized tree. Its trunk is slender, gracefully<br />

twisted, and sometimes swollen at the base. A spreading, fairly sparse crown<br />

develops with age. It has a smooth, grey-brown bark resembling a drooping gum, at<br />

a distance, with alternate bright-green leaves. These leaves turn bright-red in<br />

autumn and have wavy margins and a short stalk. Tertiary reticulate venation is<br />

visible on the lower surface. It has greenish white flowers, and its fruits are round,<br />

green, fleshy nutlets, which are eaten by birds (Pooley, 1993).<br />

Distribution<br />

Faurea saligna has only been mapped 33 times in KwaZulu-Natal. The wide<br />

distribution <strong>of</strong> this species in the Midlands and the Lowlands is not recorded, as it is<br />

apparently common in the Tugela River valley, with outliers towards Vryheid. It has<br />

not been recorded on distribution maps for the Port Shepstone area either (Coates<br />

Palgrave, 2000).<br />

35

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!