Karura Forest #29: Cape Chestnut
The cache, a small cylindrical plastic camo-pot, is hidden under bark pieces and leaf litter in the fork of a fine specimen of Newtonia Buchanannii, some 8m off the east side of the trail in the quieter eastern part of the forest (see GC5PQTW Karura Forest #31 Newtonia for more information on this forest giant). However Cape Chestnuts can be found a little further down the trail and are common in many parts of the forest.
To reach the cache location: enter the forest by Gate C on Kiambu Road at S 01 14.395 E 36 50.644. After parking and paying the entry fee, proceed due south along the track parallel to the main road and follow this around a bend and down to the cache location, passing the location of Karura Forest #32 along the way. See GC4PD3V Karura Forest #1: Intro, info & entry for background info on the forest, opening times, entry fees, etc. and here for a detailed map of Karura & Sigiria Forests.
The Cape (or Wild) Chestnut Calodendrum capense (Greek 'kalos' beautiful 'dendron' tree) is cultivated widely for its prolific flowers. It got its common name because explorer William Burchell saw a resemblance to Horse Chestnut in terms of flowers and fruits, however it is not closely related.
It is found throughout the east side of Africa from the equatorial highlands of Kenya southwards through isolated mountains in Tanzania both sides of Lake Malawi, the Mashonaland Plateau and Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, and then along the lower slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa and in coastal forests from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. It grows mainly in forests and ravines/gorges, but occasionally in scrub and riverine bush, from sea-level to 2,200m - see distribution map in the Gallery.
It can reach over 20m tall in a forest, but only up to 10m when cultivated with a more spreading canopy. The trunk is smooth, an attractive mottled streaky grey, buttressed and lichen-covered in older specimens. The leaves are ovate up to 22cm long and 10cm wide. The large pink flowers are produced in loose terminal clusters and cover the tree canopy in the early summer (Oct-Dec) producing a magnificent display. Fruits are green maturing to brown, 5-lobed woody capsules with a rough warty surface, splitting during late summer to autumn, to drop large smooth black seeds which are hard but
surprisingly light.
Butterflies feed from the flowers and probably pollinate them. Monkeys and various bird species eat fruits and probably disperse the seeds. The trees also provide forage for bees.
The timber is white or light yellow, fairly hard but bends well and is easily worked. It is used for tent bows, wagon-making, yokes, planks, shovel handles, and furniture. It is considered one of the most generally useful hard woods and is also suitable for firewood and charcoal.
The bark is used as an ingredient of skin ointments and sold at traditional medicine markets. Seed kernels are crushed and boiled to obtain lemon-yellow Yangu oil that is popular for skin care. Its powers of UV protection, high content of essential fatty acids and antioxidants, and mild odour make it ideal for natural cosmetics and soap.
It is a very ornamental tree, suitable for use as a shade, shelter or specimen tree in gardens, parks (there are several in Uhuru Park) and streets.