Botanico

Plant profile

Pepper-bark tree

Warburgia salutaris (G.Bertol.) Chiov.

Photo of Pepper-bark tree
Image: JMK. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons. · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

An outdoor evergreen tree with glossy, leathery, aromatic leaves. Grow it in a warm climate in well-drained soil and protect it from frost.

From Wikipedia

Warburgia salutaris is a species of tree in the family Canellaceae. It is native to southwestern Africa, including Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and KwaZulu-Natal the Northern Provinces of South Africa. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is a popular medicinal plant and is overharvested in the wild, another reason for its endangerment. The Pepper-bark tree is a protected tree in South Africa. Various projects are investigating methods of propagation under controlled conditions with subsequent planting in the wild.

Warburgia salutaris — Text CC BY-SA. See the original article.

Open-data facts

Life form
Life form: shrub or small tree. Can remain as a woody bush or gain tree-like stature.
Climate
Tropical climate with a dry season: warmth and a clearly defined dry period.
Origin / area
According to taxonomic sources, it comes from: Zimbabwe to KwaZulu-Natal.
Documented uses
Medicines

Recommended products for Pepper-bark tree

    Ecological interactions

    • Uses it as a host:

      Lichtensia carissae, Parasaissetia nigra, Papilio nobilis, Myscelus nobilis

    • Can be affected by pathogens such as:

      Ceratitis fasciventris, Ceratitis cosyra

    • Eaten by:

      Papilio nobilis

    Basic care

    Watering
    Check the mix with a finger before every watering.
    Light
    Full sun: needs many hours of direct light.
    Temperature
    In winter, avoid sharp temperature drops.
    Humidity
    Moderate humidity plus good air movement.

    Pet toxicity

    In a pet household, prioritise an inaccessible spot.

    Cats: yes (toxic). Dogs: yes (toxic).

    Sources