This cache is the 15th of 17 in the “Search for the Big 5” series of caches.
Do not attempt this cache if you do not have a high raised vehicle or a rental. You may just get stuck along the road.
When on a visit to Phalaborwa recently I discovered Geocaching and on a return visit I saw that the local cachers are keeping the caches coming and decided to reward them with some caches of my own on a route I often followed in search of the Big 5 when I was still a youngster living in Phalaborwa.
Zebra Wood:
This tree occurs on all soil types. Groups of trees may form dense, impenetrable thickets, often along roadsides. It is usually easier to find in areas with clay soils, in mixed woodland, thicket, or on rocky outcrops. The tree is small, and grows to a height of between 2 - 7 m. The heart wood is very heavy, being even heavier than leadwood. It is very attractive, with the hear wood black, while the sapwood is off-white.
Masses of tiny, greenish-white, scented flowers cover these trees in summer. The papery, pea-like pods can be seen on the tree for long periods rom March to July. It is a multi-stemmed shrub or tree with a densly branched and intertwined, B-shaped canopy. Thick spines stand out at right angles from the branches, branchlets and younger stems, bearing leaves and flowers. The bark in young branches is pale grey, while that of older trees is rough and peels off in long rectangles. The compound leaves are soft and droopy. It is characteristically several-stemmed and much-branched, with stem and branches armed with spines.
Links with animals - While elephant favour the roots, leaves are eaten but giraffe, impala and kudu.
Human uses - The roots are used to treat headaches and toothache. Both the roots and wood are used to make jewellery such as earrings and brooches, trinket boxes, chessmen, small ornaments, and particularly for woodwind musical instruments.
Gardening - This is an unattractive garden plant. except when flowering. It grows well, but slowly, from seed.
Leaves - Compound, dark green leaves arranged alternately. Leaves consist of 8 - 10 pairs of leaflets, with a single lear at the tip. Leaflets elliptic with notched tips and smooth margins. The leaves turn yellow in winter. (Leaf: 90 mm; leaflet: 15 - 25 mm) Leaves are clustered, or fascicled, on dwarfed, hard branchlets, along the smaller spinescent branches. They are oval or heart shaped; base broadly tapering; margin entire.
Flowers - White, scented, pea-shaped flowers are borne in bunches at the tips of the shiny shoots, burst into a profusion of blooms with the first rains, to form a striking display from October to December. (Spray: 100 mm)
Fruit/Pods - They are borne in bunches. The flat, papery, oblong pods are slightly swollen over the 1 or 2 seeds, and are pointed at both ends. They are light brown young, and grey-brown to black when mature. They do not split open and may be seen on the tree for long periods, from March to July. (50 x 13 mm)
Best places to see the Zebrawood in Southern Africa:
The Zebrawood is found in the Kruger National Park in the Mixed Bushwillow Woodlands, Thorn Veld, Knob Thorn / Marula Savannah, Alluvial Plains, Tree Mopane Savannah & Mopane / Bushwillow Woodlands ecozones.
The cache is a camouflaged pill holder. Placed in a hollow tree trunk. You may only be able to reach the cache with a special tool.
Please replace as found
Beware of muggles