Wild Pomegranate
Burchellia bubalina
Wildegranaat (Afr.), Mahlosana
1 of 5
1 of 5
Beautiful evergreen shrub to small tree with bright orange to red flowers in clusters. The flowers are rich in nectar and attrack birds and insects to the garden. It is part of the coffee tree family, Rubiaceae. The glossy green leaves with grey underneath makes a neat addition to smaller gardens. It grows naturally in sandy areas in forests, but thrive in gardens in full sun too. It was named after W.J. Burcell an explorer visiting South Africa in the 1800's
ZA Distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Western Cape.
Free download for your phone or tablet
Related Plants
Planning
Difficulty
Easy
Flowering time
Summer, Spring
Fruiting time
Autumn
Harvesting
Pick seeds as soon as mature and sow fresh.
Propagation
Seed
Grows easily from fresh seed collected in Spring after flowering. Sow in well-draining medium. It should germinate in 4-6weeks.
Cuttings
Easily propagated from cuttings too; keep moist until rooted.
Special features
Attracts birds
Nectar-loving birds visit when in flower!
Attracts useful insects
Bees are butterflies are attracted tot he flowers.
Pot plant
Use a big pot that drains well.
Hedge plant
Make a thick green covering to form informal hedge.
Special features
Origin
Africa, Coastline from South western Cape to Swaziland.
Natural climate
Coastal
Environment
Light
Full Shade, Full Sun, Partial Shade, Partial Sun
Soil moisture
Moist
Soil type
Loam, Compost
Soil PH preference
Neutral
Frost hardiness
Tender
Uses
Ornamental
This is a neat and attractive ornamental subject for most gardens. With the flowers containing sweet nectar, it is also good for attracting birds to the garden. When the tree is in full bloom, it bears a superficial resemblance to the true pomegranate, hence the common name, wild pomegranate.
Personality
Family
Rubiaceae
Flower colour
Orange, Red
Scent
None
Problems
Problem free
Companion plants
Credits
Burchellia bubalina
Love plants? So do we.
Download the app to see more photos from the Candide community.
by Mhlonishwa David Dlamini, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, February 2005 (Copyright South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa)
Free download for your phone or tablet
Knowledge and advice
Search our ever-growing knowledge base to find plants and information. Find out about pests and diseases you should be keeping an eye out for. Watch How to videos or follow step by step guides for tasks in the garden.
Free download for your phone or tablet.