Fever Tree

Afrikaans name: Koorsboom

Photo © Steven Herbert

Acacia xanthophloea

The Fever Tree is a member of the Acacia genus and it is probably one of the best known of the many species of Acacia.

Although this tree naturally occurs in a range from South Africa to East Africa it has been planted in many other countries because of its unusual colours.

The name of the Fever Tree stems from it being found in or near swampy areas where one is likely to catch malaria and this was attributed to the trees and not the mosquitos.

The tree can grow to an impressive height of 25 metres. It produces bright yellow flowers between August and November. They are roundish and are borne in clusters. The resulting seed-pods ripen between January to April.

Fever Trees are popular nesting places for Weavers and other birds. The tree has quite a few thorns which seem to give the nest some protection from would-be predators such as snakes. Various animals feed off parts of the tree including Elephants, Vervet Monkeys and Giraffes.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 143

A site-by-site guide to trees in the Kruger National Park - Author: Marissa Greeff - Year Published: 2017 - Page: 102

Field Guide to the Acacias of South Africa - Author: Nico Smit - Year Published: 2008 - Page: 68

Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - Author: Piet van Wyk - Year Published: 2008 - Page: 77

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Year Published: 2017 - Page: 159

Kruger - Portrait of a National Park - Author: David Paynter with Wilf Nussey - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 25

Pocket Guide - Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Piet van Wyk - Year Published: 2013 - Page: 36

Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 390

Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Year Published: 2004? - Page: 126

Sappi Tree Spotting: Lowveld - Author: Jacana - Year Published: 1997 - Page: 34

Sasol First Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Elsa Pooley - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 13

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Year Published: 1994 - Page: 140

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 1 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 53

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Year Published: 2002 - Page: 303