Trichilia dregeana aka Christmas Bells

Trichilia dregeana, or Cape mahogany, belongs to the mahogany family, Meliaceae. This evergreen tree comes from tropical and southern Africa. Its range runs from Côte d’Ivoire east to Ethiopia. It extends south through Angola and Mozambique to South Africa. It grows between moist evergreen forest and mixed forest-savannah land. It avoids the wettest parts of its range.

The tree forms a dense crown with wide-spreading branches. Listed heights range from about 82–98 feet [25–30 metres]. Some trees reach 131 feet [40 metres]. The trunk is round and may have slight buttresses. Most trunks reach about 3.3 feet [1 metre] across. Some reach 6.6 feet [2 metres] across. Its evergreen canopy gives shade through the year. People plant it along avenues and keep trees on cleared farmland.

Cape mahogany grows fast in warm, moist climates. It accepts full sun, broken shade, and fairly deep shade. It grows best in fertile, humus-rich soil that stays moist. Frost can harm it, though trees may recover from mild damage. Older trees need little care once established. Near the Equator, it grows on higher ground. Farther south, it also grows near sea level. These habitats reflect its need for warmth without the wettest conditions.

People gather the fruit for food, eating it raw or cooked. They also cook it as a vegetable or make sweet drinks and sauces. Seeds serve as a cooked side dish after careful preparation. Their poisonous coats must come off before cooking. The seeds also yield a bitter oil used in cooking. Only properly prepared oil is safe to eat. The bark is highly toxic and has served as fish poison. These hazards matter despite the tree’s food uses.

The tree also supplies materials for local trade and industry. Its seed oil goes into soap, candles, cosmetics, and hair treatments. People use the leaves, roots, bark, and oil in traditional medicine. Such use does not remove the risks from toxic parts. Fresh seed offers a way to raise new trees. It loses viability soon and cannot withstand drying. Sow ripe seed promptly in a shaded nursery position. A moist mix of sand and compost supports germination. Seed may sprout within two to four weeks. Young plants need protection from frost.