SafePlants

Cape Chestnut (Calodendrum capense)

The Cape Chestnut, scientifically known as Calodendrum capense, is a captivating tree native to Africa, celebrated for its stunning display of pink flowers. It has become a popular ornamental tree in various regions.

Considerations for Pets

• The text mentions that the plant produces nuts, and that oil can be extracted from these nuts.

Considerations for Children

• The text mentions that the plant produces nuts, and that oil can be extracted from these nuts.

Nomenclature and Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Calodendrum capense (L.f.) Thunb.
• Common Names: Cape Chestnut, Capechestnut, Forest Capechestnut, Kaapse Kastaiing, Wildekastaing.
• Family: Rutaceae (citrus family).
• Genus: Calodendrum, containing two accepted species.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to southeastern Africa, ranging from northern Kenya to eastern South Africa.
• It was first studied at the Cape in South Africa.
• Widely planted in areas like Melbourne, Australia, and California.
• Found in forests, often taller, and in open areas, where it tends to be shorter and more spreading.

Morphological Characteristics

• Medium-sized evergreen tree, sometimes semi-deciduous depending on winter temperatures.
• Can grow up to 20 meters (approximately 65 feet) or more in forests, but shorter in open areas.
• Slow-growing with a large, spreading crown reaching 25-40 feet wide.
• Smooth, grey trunk, sometimes described as streaky white/grey on older trees.
• Showy spikes of pink, orchid-like flowers in summer, attractive to butterflies.
• Young branches are tomentose (covered in hairs), becoming glabrous (smooth) with age.

Quirky Facts

• The name Calodendrum literally means "beautiful tree" in Greek (kalos means beautiful, and dendron means tree). The term "capense" indicates its origin from the Cape region.

Ecological Interactions

• The flowers are attractive to butterflies.

Other Information

• The plant can be rare in Southern Rhodesia, Zimbabwe
• Seed kernels yield about 60% oil

Further Resources

• USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN): Provides information on Calodendrum and its species.
• The Plant List: A resource for scientific plant names, including accepted species.
• GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Offers a view on Calodendrum distribution and related data.
• IUCN Red List: Contains information on Calodendrum eickii.