(Syzygium cordatum)
Price: R 320
Available in the following regions: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape
The protected and protecting Waterberry. In the wild, the evergreen Waterberry offers shade and succour to a variety of species, from butterflies to bushbuck. Its timber is attractive, durable and relatively elastic, and is employed in boat building and furniture making. Historically, the bark has been used to treat stomach complaints, while an extract from the leaves has been sourced for respiratory ailments.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the presence of Waterberries indicates a suitable environment for sugar cane cultivation. It’s also a popular tree with beekeepers, because of its abundance of creamy-white, fragrant flowers and small, dark fruit. The indigenous Waterberry remains a protected tree in South Africa.