The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Umdoni tree

Afrikaans name: Waterbessie

Umdoni otherwise known as a Water-berry

Umdoni Tree which is also known as the Water Berry Tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

Syzigium cordatum

The Umdoni tree is often called the Water Berry - a name which arises from it being found near rivers and streams and the clumps of berries that it bears.

It is an attractive tree that reaches a height of up to 15 metres.

The leaves of the Umdoni provide browsing for some mammals such as Kudus. The fruit is eaten by Vervet Monkeys, Bush Babies and some birds. Some people also eat the fruit.

The bark can be ground and used as a poison to kill fish.

Leaves of an Umdoni tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 266

Adventure Trails in Kirstenbosch - Author: Daphne Mackie - Published: 2012 - Page: 53

Everyones Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 84

Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 5th edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2008 - Page: 182

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 167

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 391

Piet van Wyks Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 1st edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 1988 - Page: 182

Sappi Tree Spotting: Bushveld - 2nd edition - Author: R Grant and V Thomas - Published: 2005 - Page: 252

Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - 2nd edition - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 2004 - Page: 248

Sappi Wild Flower Guide - Mpumalanga and Northern Province - Author: Jo Onderstall - Published: 1996 - Page: 144

Sasol First Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1999 - Page: 52

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 372

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 833

What Tree is That? - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1967 - Page: 67

Wild Issue 47 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 84


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