Widdringtonia nodiflora
(Mountain cypress)
[= Widdringtonia cupressoides]
Bergsipres [Afrikaans]
Life
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Widdringtonia
Widdringtonia nodiflora
(Mountain Cypress)
in Mesic Mountain Fynbos, Kleinmond Nature Reserve (Western Cape, South
Africa) [photo
H. Robertson, Iziko ©]. |
Large Widdringtonia nodiflora tree at
Kirstenbosch, Cape Town [photo H. Robertson, Iziko ©]. |
Close-up of cones of above tree [photo H.
Robertson, Iziko ©]. |
Close-up of bark of above tree [photo H.
Robertson, Iziko ©]. |
A bush or small tree, growing to a height of about 9
m but generally a lot lower than this. The size and density of trees is strongly
influenced by fire frequency.
Distribution and habitat
Occurs in mountainous regions from Cape Town, through to
the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Populations also occur in Swaziland, the
Soutpansberg (Limpopo) and the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe (including adjacent
areas of Mozambique). It is a common tree in fynbos where it is usually low
growing due to frequent fires. In moist fynbos fires are less frequent and trees
can be larger - for example in the very old fynbos just north of Storms River in
the Eastern Cape (on the Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail).
Uses
References
- Palgrave, K.C. and Palgrave, M.C. 2002. Trees of Southern Africa. 3rd
Edition. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
- Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa covering all
known indigenous species in the Republic of South Africa, South-West Africa,
Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. Volume 1. A.A. Balkema, Cape
Town.
- van Wyk, B. and van Wyk, P. 1997. Field Guide to Trees of Southern
Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
Text by Hamish Robertson |