Myrsine melanophloeos

Myrsine melanophloeos also goes by the name Cape beech. It belongs to Primulaceae, the primrose family. It grows as an evergreen shrub or tree. Its home range runs from Nigeria to Ethiopia and South Africa. It also grows on the Comoros and Madagascar. Kew places it in a tropical biome with dry seasons. Useful Tropical Plants records it in moist mountain forests. These include what remains of evergreen woods and forests in steep valleys.

This species can take a wide range of sizes and forms. Heights range from about 10–59 feet [3–18 metres]. Useful Tropical Plants also gives a height of 33 feet [10 metres]. The sources give no separate size range for garden plants. Plants send up suckers, or new shoots, that can form dense clumps. They stay green year-round, which makes them useful as living screens. Allow space for this clump growth when choosing a site. The bark is grey, and the wood is reddish brown. The sources give no details on leaf shape or texture.

Bees and flies pollinate the flowers, helping them set fruit. The source has records of flowers and fruit as it ripens. It also has records of ripe fruit. It gives no bloom season, fruit colour, or fruit size. Nor does it describe the parts of the flowers. Useful Tropical Plants lists no known food uses. This does not mean any part is safe to eat. Its entry also lists no known hazards. This is not a safety check for people or pets.

Useful Tropical Plants says plants grow well on windy coastal sites. Once plants have settled in, they can cope with some drought. These traits suit their use as screens in exposed coastal gardens. The source gives no frost limit or hardiness zone. It says raising plants from seed is easy. Sow seeds in a general potting mix that drains well. Keep the seed pots warm, moist, and in shade. These seed needs do not show how much light grown trees need.

People gather this tree from the wild for medicine and timber. In traditional medicine, people use the bark and sometimes the roots. They use them for breathing, stomach, muscle, and heart problems. These records show use, not proof that the treatments work. The leaves have astringent traits, which means they can tighten tissues. The bark contains tannin. The hard, tough wood is still easy to work. People use it for furniture, wagons, and violins. The sources name no pests or diseases.