SY 
O. Holstit. This species occurs in the Ingeli Forest Reserve and is also found in the 
Woodbush Forest in the northern Transvaal. The specimens in the Ingeli Reserve, Forester 
Chilvers describes as “ trees of timber size with deciduous leaves; stem attaining to a 
diameter of 2 ft. to 2 {t.6 in. with a rough bark.” The species is quite plentiful at Ingel: 
and is known to the sawyers as the “1eal red pear” as distinguished from Scolopia. 
Forester Tustin describes this species as “a branched tree 40-50) ft. high, stem 18 in. in 
diameter, with a bole 15—-2C ft. Bark grey on the outside and deep red inside. Flowers 
in September and October and fruits ripen in December. I have only found the tree growing 
in denser parts of the forest. It is found throughout my patrols (Impetyne and Ingeli) 
and is sparingly dotted through the forests. Saplings | are numerous compared with old 
trees. I have not seen this tree used for any purpose.” 
District Forest Officer A. O'Connor, in submitting specimens from the Wood- 
bush Forest, states it to be “a fairly large deciduous tree. The bark is comparatively 
smooth, though not with the hard smoothness of O. O’Connorii, being more flaky and 
‘chippy. ” It is beet-red under the surface. 
Mr. O. Miller (the acting District Forest Officer at Doornboom at the time) states 
that the species is fairly abundant in the lower, but scarce in the upper, slopes of the Wood- 
bush Forest. It attains a height of 45 ft., with a trunk diameter, at breast high, of 
30 in. The species flowers in November and sets its fruits in January. 
O. OConnorti. This tree has only been recorded from. the Woodbush Forest, and 
was collected by Mr. A. J. O'Connor. He noted the differences between this and O. arborea, 
and describes it as a `` small tree with smooth bark, very much like the ordinary Cape plane.” 
The local name is “ roothout,” “ roo1 izerhout.” 
O. arborea. This species may attain the size of a timber tree or may be only 8-10 ft. 
high. In the Horseshoe Forest, Kingwilliamstown, Forester Whithal records this species 
as a ~ tree 30 ft. high, with a diameter of 26 in. at breast high, and is found on a dolerite 
formation.” At Knysna, Mr. J. D. Keet, the District Forest Officer, records it `` as common 
in all parts of the district, being a small tree which forms part of the under storey of the 
forest. and rarelv reaches a height of 1 ft. at breast high.” Locally known as the ~ rooi- 
hout.” The wood is very strong and of great durability, and is generally used for making 
handles of tools and axes, The seeds are said to be attacked by caterpillars. Forester 
Watton states it to be a plant growing in scrub at Kn sna, and is known by the name ot 
“* rooihout.” Forester Strauch sends the following notes with his specimens: Very 
plentiful in all the reserves in this (Alexandria) forestal district, and is found throughout 
the forest. Average height, 10 ft.; average girth, 4 in. In the kloofs it grows much larger 
and it is found that the bark is much lighter than in trees growing on ridges or exposed 
positions. The timber is used for making axe and hammer handles. The tree appears to 
grow more or less plentifully over the forests in the Alexandria District, which are all on 
sandy soil.” 
Sim* is in error when he states that this species occurs m the Transvaal. 
O. natalitia. This species, which has been regarded as a variety of O. atropurpurea, 
rightly deserves specific rank. Forester F. M. Fegen reports it as a `` small tree about 6 ft. 
high growing at Notinsela Forest. It 1s very free in flowering and has scented flowers. 
I have seen several specimens of this tree in the Mpimbo Forest, but it does not appear to 
grow higher than 6 or 8 ft. Many young plants of O. atropurpurea are growing close to this.” 
Forester Fegen further remarks that both species (O. natalitia and O. atropurpurea) grow 
on the edge of the forest and appear to be gregarious, growing thickly together. I have 
not found them well in the forest. Many stunted plants are in “ dobo” grass, and have been 
scorched by fire and have thrown out branches from the base. This species should make 
a handsome garden plant, and fruiting specimens are particularly beautiful. The Pondos 
call it ““ mbomvane ncinci,” but do not appear to use it for any purpose. 
* Sim, “ Forest Flora,” p. 164. 
