The Ouhout is the front bush – covering the rear tyre of the Jeep Wrangler.

Image was taken at Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve.

Life is a great, big, beautiful adventure. Every which way you look, there is something fascinating, interesting, or worthy of your attention. Next week’s article will be on the Ash River Outlet from Katse dam, which we visited on our recent jaunt to the Free State. Whilst at the site, I noticed a “bush” which I haven’t seen in some time. Many, many moons ago, I used to spend much time in Lesotho – and this bush was abundant and very much a part of daily life, particularly high up in the mountains. I was also privileged to visit an amazing spot called Moolmanshoek Private Game Reserve more recently - a Natural Heritage Site in the Witteberg Mountain Range, between Ficksburg and Rosendal. They too have many of these plants. So, for all you plant (or even just ‘outdoor’) enthusiasts, down the rabbit hole we go...

Ouhout leaflet margins are deeply serrated.

Leucosidea sericea

Family: Rosaceae - also known as the “rose family”, which is poorly represented in southern Africa. This large and economically important family occurs mostly in the Northern Hemisphere, comprising 90+ genera with about 2500+ species worldwide. It includes a vast array of the most commercially significant fruits, such as blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, nectarine, pear, apricot, almond, cherry, loquat, quince, apple, peach, and plum! The Rose obviously also belongs to this family. The fruits of Leucosidea sericea are, however, nut-like and only about 3 mm in diameter!

Common names: oldwood (Eng.); ouhout (Afr.); umtshitshi (Zulu); isidwadwa, umyityi (Xhosa); mosino (N. Sotho); munyonga-tshifumbu (Venda). In Lesotho, the Basotho people call the species 'Cheche'.

SA Tree No: 145

Stands of Leucosidea sericea near the Ash River Outlet.

Leucosidea hails from the Greek word “leukos”, meaning "shining white", although in botany it usually denotes something which is pale or grey appearance. “Sericea” comes from “serikos”, meaning "silky" and referring to the silky hairs that cover the new buds and young leaves of the tree. This concentration of ‘silver’ hairs creates a silvery sheen in the sunlight. The common name “Ouhout” is ‘Old Wood’ in Afrikaans, named after its gnarled, twisted trunks, which create the appearance of great age. Its wood burns slowly and produces copious billows of smoke, much like old or decaying wood does – which could also contribute to the origin of its name.

Leucosidea sericea is an incredibly hardy, evergreen, and fast-growing tree with strongly aromatic leaves. It is more often than not a straggly shrub, but can grow into a dense tree, which grows up to about seven metres tall and about five metres wide. There are very few similar looking, naturally occurring, woody plants that it could be confused for, and it is thus easy to spot.

The scrubby little Ouhout plants seen either side of this Jeep track at Moolmanshoek are easily recognisable...

L. sericea’s natural habitat (in either sun or semi-shade) includes high altitude grasslands, kloofs, north and west facing slopes – mainly along rivers, streams and wooded rocky ridges. This tree is a survivor and is considered a pioneer plant (a hardy species which is the first to colonise a barren/disturbed environment) particularly at high altitudes. For example, in Lesotho, when you are high enough for very little else to grow, you will still find the ubiquitous Cheche. It often forms dense thickets on overgrazed, eroded or otherwise disturbed areas, and can thus become an issue on farmland. The flowers and young shoots are browsed by cattle, goats and eland in the spring.

You can see the remains of flowers on the stems…

The density of Ouhout wood is approximately 609 kg per cubic metre (anything less than 1 000 kg per cubic metre will float in water). It has various uses… It is used as long-lasting fence-poles in permanently wet places, and as a fuel – particularly for starting fires. It burns in a smouldering manner (producing much smoke). In the higher parts of Lesotho, it is the only source of fuel. It is useful as a wind break or garden ornamental in areas that get frost. The crushed leaves are often soaked and used to treat eye infections in rural areas – in fact, it is a rich source of approximately 50 essential oils and different classes of phytochemicals, which could account for its many diverse biological properties. Because it grows quickly from seed and cuttings, it is suitable for bonsai. It is believed to have magical properties such as protecting the inhabitants of homesteads. Apparently, in mountainous areas where the Ouhout occurs near streams, it is an indication that they are suitable for being stocked with trout!

A small tree of great character, it naturally occurs in the eastern parts of South Africa, usually 1000 – 2400 m above sea level. It is a very versatile addition to an indigenous garden. Exceptionally frost resistant, fast-growing and evergreen, it does require some watering (or plant in damp areas) to keep it in peak condition. It is an ideal screening plant as it is quite dense, and can be used to screen against noise, unpleasant views or even wind. This tree is easily and quickly propagated from either seed or cuttings. The seeds should be sown in a good seedling medium and kept moist. As one often finds seedlings beneath the parent plant, these may be carefully removed and transplanted (ideally in a nursery bag initially). Its slightly weather-beaten and untidy appearance (due to the gnarled, flaking trunk and irregular form) enhances the casual form of a natural, indigenous African-style garden. That said, its attractive, dark, fissured, peeling stem can be pruned to create a stem, making a beautiful specimen tree in a small garden. Bees and other pollinating insects just love this tree’s flowers, as they produce copious amounts of pollen. Insect-eating birds are attracted to the tree by the many insects that visit the flowers. The roots are apparently not aggressive, and no part of the plant is poisonous.

The gnarled, flaking trunk of Ouhout.

Happy Gardening 😉.

Jacqui Ikin & The Cross Country Team

#Moolmanshoek #Lesotho #ouhout #indigenousplantssouthafrica

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