Natal Orange

Strychnos spinosa

Native to:
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Caprivi Strip, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, DR Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Loganiaceae
Genus:
Strychnos
Species:
Strychnos spinosa
USDA Symbol:
STSP8

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub
Height:
1500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
oct,nov,dec
Bloom Colors:
greenish-white

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, mammals
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to savanna and woodland areas

Propagation & Germination

Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
30–90 days
Notes:
Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) to break physical dormancy; germination is erratic.