Celtis mildbraedii

Celtis mildbraedii is a species of forest tree in the family Cannabaceae. It was previously assigned to the family Ulmaceae. These trees grow in limited areas of South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. They are also found in forested areas from West Africa to Sudan, DRC, Angola and Tanzania. Common names include natal white stinkwood, red-fruited white-stinkwood and natal elm. This species is more common in Tropical Africa than in Southern Africa.

Celtis mildbraedii
Leaves and fruit of Celtis mildbraedii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Cannabaceae
Genus: Celtis
Species:
C. mildbraedii
Binomial name
Celtis mildbraedii

There are about forty specimens in Pigeon Valley Natural Heritage Park, Durban, South Africa.[1] The southern-most specimen is found in Ilanda Wilds Nature Reserve in Amanzimtoti.[2][3]

The fruit of the tree turns red as it ripens but viable seed is difficult to find.[4] No Natal White Stinkwoods were available from plant nurseries in South Africa in 2009 suggesting that this tree species is not being propagated, despite its rarity in South Africa.[5]

This tree is a dominant species in the moist semi-deciduous forests of Ghana along with Triplochiton scleroxylon and African Mahogany (Khaya ivorensis).[6] The trees were common in Ajenjua Bepo and Mamang River Forest Reserves in Ghana.[7]

In Uganda the tree is used for timber and is a primate food source in Budongo Forest Reserve. A study of correlations between seedling and adult tree densities of Celtis mildbraedii here, suggested that this species had a healthy regeneration pattern.[8]

References
  1. Bodenstein, J. (2009)
  2. Bodenstein, J. (2009)
  3. Blake, B. (2009)
  4. Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. pp 66
  5. Purves, M. (2009)
  6. Taylor, (1960)
  7. Siaw, D.E.K.A and Dabo, J. Botanical Survey of Plant species Diversity in the Ajenjua Bepo and Mamang River Forest Reserves, Ghana.
  8. Mwavu, E.N. and Witkowski T.F. (Ed), (2009). Population structure and regeneration of multiple-use tree species in a semi-deciduous African tropical rainforest: Implications for primate conservation.

Bibliography
  • Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN 0-620-17697-0.
  • Hyde, M.A. & Wursten, B. (2010). Flora of Zimbabwe: Species information: Celtis mildbraedii.
  • Vordzogbe, V. V. et al. The Flora and Mammals of the Moist Semi-Deciduous Forest Zone in the Sefi-Wiawso District of the Western Region, Ghana. University of Ghana.


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