While visiting the cemetery and placing a cache, we came accross this tree, which we only know from very rugged and dry areas. We were surprised to find it here and wanted to share this special tree with you.
Some of these trees can be seen throughout Windhoek and you might see it again if you travel through Namibia, they are also called kobas trees. You will usually find these trees growing on dry rocky hill slopes, where it can survive because it stores much moisture in its thick smooth trunk. The tree is often multi-stemmed and may reach a height of 7 metres.
The kobas tree flowers from October to December in areas where the onset of the rainy season is reasonably reliable. This may not be the case for this one as Namibia is currently experiencing a drought in 2018/2019, but this one seems to be watered from time to time. The small greenish flowers appear together with the succulent leaves. You are welcome to post pictures in your log or describe the tree.
Bunches of red berries develop from these flowers. These red berries, in spite of their tempting appearance, contain a lot of oxalic acid, which is highly irritating to the mucous membranes, if eaten - please don't try!
The leaves consist of three leaflets attached to a long stalk. These trees are adapted to their arid habitat not only by the shape and structure of their trunks but also by the succulent leaves, which store and preserve moisture, but fall off quite soon after the rains have stopped.
Other names: Afrikaans: kowas, kobas, botterboom; German: Butterbaum; Herero: omutindi.
Derivation of the genus name Cyphostemma is uncertain, currori in memory of the physician Dr A B Curror, who first collected this plant in Angola in 1840.
The kobas is protected by forestry legislation because in nature it grows very slowly.
Three additional cyphostemma species with thick succulent stems and smooth papery bark can be found in Namibia and can be seen in the botanical garden in Windhoek.
These trees are a characteristic and decorative rockery species, but please remember that they are protected plants. They may therefore not be dug up or broken off.
Sources: Article from Ms LUISE HOFFMANN, Wikipedia