Nuxia is a genus of approximately fifteen species of shrubs and trees in the family Stilbaceae, order Lamiales, described as a genus in 1791. It was formerly classified within Loganiaceae and later Buddlejaceae before molecular studies established its placement in Stilbaceae. Members of the genus are native to sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and certain islands of the Indian Ocean, with the greatest diversity concentrated in East and southern Africa.
Plants in the genus are evergreen shrubs or trees, typically bearing dense, rounded crowns. The best-known representative, Nuxia floribunda (forest elder or wild elder), grows 3–10 metres tall, occasionally reaching 25 metres in favourable conditions, with a contorted, fluted bole up to 60 cm in diameter. The genus is widely noted for its abundantly produced, sweetly scented cream-white flowers that attract bees and other insects, and several species are cultivated as ornamentals in warm-temperate and subtropical gardens.
Within their native range, species of Nuxia occupy montane forests, forest margins, and coastal forest belts, frequently occurring along watercourses and at elevations up to 2,400 metres. They are colloquially called "wild elders" in some parts of Africa. The wood is hard, close-grained, and pale yellow; it is used locally for carpentry, furniture, and fuel, and the bark contains tannins. Various species have traditional medicinal applications: leaves and roots are used across East and southern Africa to treat respiratory ailments, fevers, and childhood convulsions.
Distribution
Nuxia is native to sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and certain islands of the Indian Ocean. The most widespread species, N. floribunda, ranges across Eastern Africa from Uganda and Kenya south through Tanzania, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
Ecology
Species of Nuxia inhabit dry montane forests, coastal forest belts, and forest margins, frequently growing along watercourses at elevations up to 2,400 metres. Nuxia floribunda occurs in both moist mountain forests and drier lowland sites, and its flowers are pollinated by bees and other insects.
Cultivation
Nuxia floribunda is moderately fast-growing in deep, rich, moist soils and tolerates both full sun and partial shade. It is sensitive to frost and drought. The non-aggressive root system makes it suitable for planting near buildings and paved surfaces. It is grown as an ornamental in warm-temperate and subtropical gardens.
Propagation
Propagate from seed by scattering the very fine seeds over the surface of a growing medium, lightly covering with fine river sand, and keeping moist in a warm, well-lit position; germination typically takes 6–12 weeks though germinative capacity can be low. Alternatively, take semi-hardwood or hardwood cuttings up to 100 mm long and insert into river sand or a sand-and-compost mix.
Cultural Uses
In East and southern Africa, Nuxia floribunda is used medicinally: roots treat influenza, and leaves are used for coughs, colds, fevers, indigestion, and childhood convulsions (sometimes by burning dried leaves and inhaling the smoke). The bark is harvested for tannins, and the hard, pale-yellow wood is used for carpentry, furniture, turnery, building poles, and firewood.
