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Schotia afra

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This tree is an bonsai from 1844.


Wild plant from Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Author: Carl Peter Thunberg 1800
Family:  Fabaceae
Habitat:   East and West Cape; South Africa, Namibia
Soil:   Mix
Water:   Minimum-Medium
Sun:   Maximum
Thickness:  25 centimetres
Height:  5 meters
Flower:   Red-Pink
Propagate:   Seeds/Cuttings
Names:   Karoo Boer-bean, Karooboerboon
Synonyms:  Guaiacum afrum, Carl Linnaeus.
Schotia afra var. angustifolia, Harv.

This member of the Fabaceae family was described by Carl Peter Thunberg in 1800. It is found in the coastal areas of both sides of Cape area of South Africa, up into Namibia. It grows in a well drained soil with little to some water and lots of sun. It will reach a height of five meters, the flowers are plenty and dark pink to red.

The genus Schotia was named in honour of Richard van der Schot, chief gardener of the Imperial Garden at Schönbrun.

Former member of the Zygophyllaceae, Leguminosae and the Caesalpiniaceae  families. 


The bonsai has one, and not the typical cluster of flowers.


A dark and a light flower from the same area of Blue Water Bay, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.


And plenty of them. Addo Elephant National Park.