Common Name:

General Information

Virgilia oroboides is a small, evergreen tree with a sparse crown that is usually narrow but can be spreading, especially with age; it usually grows from 5 - 15 metres tall, occasionally reaching 20 metres. The main stem can be single or branched, in larger trees it can be clear of branches for 5 - 8 metres, and is usually around 50cm in diameter but ranging from 20 - 90cm[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a source of wood and starch. It makes an excellent pioneer species for reforestation and establishing woodland gardens, and is often grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its floral display and attractive form[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern Africa - S. Africa (southern Cape Province)

Habitat

Moist sites near the coast[]. Forest margins, most often beside streams or on river banks but also on hillsides and thickets; at elevations up to 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Sunbirds, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Virgilia oroboides is not very cold-hardy. Native to the warm mediterranean climate of southern S. Africa it can only tolerate short periods of moderate frost, and young plants will be severely damaged or killed even by light frosts[, ].
Requires a position in full sun to semi-shade, growing best in a light, well-drained soil[]. Found in the wild on acidic sandstone and clay soils[].
A fast-growing tree, especially when young. Trees can be 130cm tall within 12 months and attain full height in only a few years[]. The trees are also short-lived, however, their average lifespan ranging from 12 - 20 years[].
The tree has a shallow, spreading root system, which does not provide good anchorage[].
The flowers are sweetly scented[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing tree that enriches the soil with nitrogen, it is a natural pioneer species within its native range where it quickly provides the shade and shelter that other trees need in order to become established and then dies off as these other trees mature. It can be used in reforesting native areas, or for establishing a woodland garden[, ].
The flowers are a rich source of nectar[].

Other Uses

A transparent gum exudes from the bark[, ]. It has been used as a substitute for starch[, ]. The report is not clear as to whether the starch is used as a stiffener (the more likely scenario), or as a carbohydrate for food[].

The wood is soft and light in weight. It was formerly much in demand for yokes and was also used for spars, wagon-bed planks and rafters. It is sometimes used for furniture[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and benefits from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Sow the seed in trays in a greenhouse in autumn or spring, in well-drained soil at a depth of 0.5 - 1 cm and covered with the sowing medium or milled bark and then watered. Pot up as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough (which is usually within a few weeks)[]
Stratified seed can also be sown in situ in warm climates[].
The seeds are highly fertile and can remain alive in the soil for many years after they have fallen, even after as many as 30 years they will germinate if conditions are favourable[].