Cussonia spicata aka Common Cabbage Tree
Taxonomy ID: 2122
Cussonia spicata is an evergreen tree in the Araliaceae family. People call it spiked cabbage tree or lowveld cabbage tree. Its native range runs from South Sudan to South Africa. It is native to the Comoros too. Kew places it in a tropical zone with dry seasons. In eastern Africa, it grows in tropical and subtropical uplands. It grows in rainforest and dry evergreen forest. It also grows in grassland with trees.
The tree reaches about 26–33 feet [8–10 metres] in height. Some trees reach 56 feet [17 metres]. A thick trunk may bear just a few high branches. Other trees have no branches, with leaves at the top. The large leaves are digitate and compound. This means each leaf has leaflets that spread from one point. They spread like the fingers on a hand. This crown of leaves gives the tree its distinct form. Below ground, the roots can grow thick, swollen, and fleshy.
People plant this tree for shade and for its looks. They also use it to mark boundaries and graves. Choose its long-term site with care. Useful Tropical Plants warns about roots in this genus. They can harm structures. Keep the tree away from buildings, buried pipes, and cables. The same source warns against moving plants in this genus once established. They do not transplant well. Insects pollinate the flowers. The supplied account does not say when they bloom.
Grow new plants from fresh seed or cuttings. Remove the thin fruit pulp before you sow the seed. Sow it soon after it ripens, with a light covering. Seeds can take three to eight weeks to sprout. The source says to keep seedlings in their tray through their first year. Move them into separate pots at the next growing season. They may need two more years before planting in their final site.
People gather this tree from the wild for several uses. They peel and chew young roots to ease hunger and thirst. Local people have long used the leaves as medicine. Uses include treating malaria and constipation. These records show local use, not proof of safe treatment. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known hazards. This does not mean the tree is safe for people or pets. People use the soft, white wood for stools and doors. They also make troughs, beehives, and wheelbarrow wheels from it.
Common names
Common Cabbage Tree, Cabbage Tree, Spiked Cabbage Tree, Lowveld Cabbage Tree, Kiepersol, Umsenge, Motshetshe, Common CabbagetreeMore information about Common Cabbage Tree
How often should I water Cussonia spicata?
Cussonia spicata has medium water needs and enjoys ample water, especially when young. Water regularly during spring and summer so that the soil never completely dries out, though the tree can tolerate brief periods of drought. Established trees become increasingly drought-tolerant, but young specimens require consistent moisture for optimal growth. During winter, reduce watering frequency but maintain some soil moisture.
What type of soil does Cussonia spicata need?
Cussonia spicata is highly adaptable and grows well in sandy, clay, or loam soils with neutral pH. The key requirement is good drainage - the soil should retain some moisture but not become waterlogged. Adding sand and fine potting soil can improve drainage if necessary. In nature, these trees often grow in rocky locations where their roots establish in crevices filled with organic matter.
How do I propagate Cussonia spicata?
Cussonia spicata is best propagated from fresh seed. Harvest ripe seeds, wash off the thin pulp layer, and sow immediately into a fine seedling germination mixture with a light covering of soil. Germination takes 3-8 weeks. Keep seedlings in their trays for the first year, then transplant to individual containers at the start of year two. Cuttings are possible but produce inferior root systems compared to seed-grown plants.
How big does Cussonia spicata grow?
Cussonia spicata is a fast-growing tree that typically reaches 10-15 meters in height, with exceptional specimens growing to 17 meters. The canopy spread ranges from 4.5 to 9 meters at maturity. Young trees display a single stem with a rosette of large compound leaves at the top, while mature trees develop thick, sculptural branches with multiple leaf clusters.
Can Cussonia spicata grow outdoors in my climate?
Cussonia spicata is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 9b-11, tolerating minimum temperatures of 25-30°F (-3.8 to -1.1°C). The tree does not tolerate extreme frost, particularly when young. Frost tolerance varies by origin - highland forms are more frost-hardy than subtropical coastal varieties. Young trees require protection during their first few winters. The tree thrives in seasonally dry tropical and subtropical climates with full sun exposure.
Where is Cussonia spicata native to?
Cussonia spicata is native to the wetter regions of sub-Saharan Africa, with a distribution extending from South Sudan through eastern and southern Africa to the Comoros Islands. It occurs naturally in South Africa (Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal), Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Botswana. The tree grows in various habitats including grasslands, forest margins, and rocky outcrops at moderate elevations in seasonally dry tropical and subtropical biomes.
When and how does Cussonia spicata flower?
Cussonia spicata produces flowers from late spring through summer (November to May in the Southern Hemisphere). The greenish-yellow flowers are small and arranged in dense spikes at the branch tips - the name 'spicata' refers to this spike-like arrangement. The nectar-rich flowers are highly attractive to pollinators including bees and butterflies. After pollination, small fleshy purple-maroon fruits develop, which are eaten by birds.
How is Cussonia spicata pollinated?
Cussonia spicata is pollinated by insects, particularly bees and butterflies. The small greenish-yellow flowers produce abundant nectar that attracts various pollinating insects. PlantZAfrica notes the tree 'attracts birds and butterflies', while the Useful Tropical Plants database confirms insect pollination. The dense flower spikes provide easy access for pollinators, and the extended flowering season (spring through summer) ensures ample pollination opportunities.
What pests and diseases affect Cussonia spicata?
Cussonia spicata is generally robust but can be prone to psylla (psyllid) infestations. These small sap-sucking insects cause characteristic pimple-like growths on the leaves, which while unsightly, rarely cause serious harm to established trees. The condition can be controlled with systemic insecticide if necessary. The tree is otherwise relatively pest and disease resistant when grown in appropriate conditions with good drainage.
What temperatures can Cussonia spicata tolerate?
Cussonia spicata tolerates temperatures down to 25-30°F (-3.8 to -1.1°C) but does not survive extended periods below freezing. Young trees are particularly frost-sensitive and require winter protection during their first few years. Frost tolerance varies significantly by origin - forms from highland areas are more cold-hardy than those from subtropical coastal regions. The tree thrives in warm subtropical to tropical climates and performs best when protected from severe frost.
How should I repot Cussonia spicata?
Cussonia spicata does not transplant well once established due to its extensive and potentially destructive root system. Young container plants should be moved to larger pots carefully, protecting the fleshy roots from damage. When repotting, use well-draining soil and handle the root system gently. Keep trees away from buildings and underground services due to their vigorous root growth.
Is Cussonia spicata edible?
The thick roots from young Cussonia spicata trees are edible and can be dug up, peeled, and chewed like cassava to relieve hunger and thirst. This is a traditional survival and subsistence use rather than a regular food source. The roots are also succulent and serve as a water source in times of need. However, there are conflicting historical reports about root toxicity, so caution is advised. The leaves are used as fish poison in Tanzania, indicating potential toxicity in other plant parts.
What are the medicinal uses of Cussonia spicata?
Cussonia spicata has extensive traditional medicinal uses in African traditional medicine. The leaves are used to treat malaria, indigestion, constipation, and snakebite. Bark decoctions treat malaria similar to tonic water. Root preparations are used for malaria treatment, as diuretics, and for venereal diseases. In ethnoveterinary medicine, it treats retained placenta and gastrointestinal parasites in livestock. Scientific studies have confirmed antibacterial, antimalarial, and antiproliferative properties, validating some traditional uses.
What other uses does Cussonia spicata have?
Beyond food and medicine, Cussonia spicata has several practical uses. The soft, lightweight wood is used for making temporary stools, doors, water troughs, beehives, wheelbarrow wheels, and historically for ox-wagon brake blocks. The tree serves as boundary and grave markers in some cultures. It's valued ornamentally as a focal point or architectural specimen plant, providing shade in gardens. The flowers attract pollinators, making it beneficial for biodiversity.
Sources
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