What’s in a name?

When it comes to trees Ubizane has definitely got them in abundance, however have you ever thought how many there are, what is in a name and if there are special uses for them?

I was fortunate enough to accompany Darius, our on-site ecologist and Denis Oscroft a member of the Kwazulu Natal Tree Society, as they ventured around Safari Lodge identifying and labeling an array of foliage most unique to Ubizane.  

A selection of trees along the winding Safari pathways was identified and a name plate made by WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) was attached. These name plates have the scientific, common and Zulu name, as well as the national number of that particular species. This allows the guest (as well as the ever curious Ubizane team) to easily look up the tree in a book. 

As we passed by certain trees, Darius and Denis gave interesting facts about each particular specie. My favourite example was that of the Snuff Box Tree - when the tree flowers the flowers resemble a fried egg and the fruit of the tree has many traditional uses. The tree is a source of chaulmoogra oil, valued for its medicinal properties and originally used to treat leprosy around the world in the late 1800′s and early 1900′s.  As the name suggests the fruit can be used, once hollowed out, to store snuff inside. 

It was a morning well spent, as now most of the visible trees on the pathways in and around Safari Lodge have names, and it is difficult NOT to learn about these fascinating plants.