Tassel-berry tree

Afrikaans name: Voelsitboom

Above - Fruit of a Tassel-berry tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

Antidesma venosum

The Tassel-berry tree gets its name from its bunches of fruit that hang down from smaller branches. The fruit is eaten by many different species of birds. Mammals such as Chacma Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Kudu and Nyala eat the berries as well. The fruit starts off green and becomes dark-red when ripe. The flowers are red.

The tree normally only grows to a height of about 5 metres, although some individuals can reach 15 metres. In other areas the tree can be less than a metre in height and is little more than a shrub.

For many years us humans have found medicinal uses for the roots and leaves of the Tassel-berry. Amongst these are treatments for heart disease, upset stomachs, coughing and fertility.

The Tassel-berry tree is found along the eastern regions of South Africa.

Above - Leaves of a Tassel-berry tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 186

Everyone's Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 49

Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - Author: Piet van Wyk - Year Published: 2008 - Page: 125

Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Year Published: 2004? - Page: 140

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Year Published: 1994 - Page: 216

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 1 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 55

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Year Published: 2002 - Page: 482