Expert in favour of tree wisteria replacing jacaranda

It is jacaranda season in Pretoria but here and there you might see a beautiful purple blooming tree that looks like the iconic Pretoria tree but at a closer look there appear to be a few differences.

You might have happened upon the Bolusanthus speciosus or as it is also called the Vanwykshout tree or tree wisteria.

Mpho Mathalauga, a tree specialist at the South African Botanical Institute at the Pretoria Botanical Garden, is proud of the lane of these spectacular indigenous trees fully in bloom in the service road in front of the Garden in Cussonia Road.
These trees mimic the splendour of jacaranda trees.

“It is a magnificent ornamental tree and has striking purple flowers. It is well suited to furniture wood and the straight growing stems are used for fence posts. It is remarkably durable and termite-resistant. Its roots are utilised in alleviating stomach cramps,” said this tree-lover from Limpopo.

“Given time and effort, this tree could replace jacaranda trees when they die. They can carpet Pretoria streets with indigenous purple blooms instead.”

Bolusanthus honours Harry Bolus (1834 to 1911), a South African botanist and founder of the Cape Town Bolus Herbarium; speciosus means beautiful or showy in Latin.

He feels that the tree is at present not utilised to its full potential.

“If a jacaranda that died is replaced in gardens in Pretoria with the Bolusanthus, or planted for its own sake, the vibrant purple landscape of our urban forest remains the same. It is an excellent replacement tree. Retail nurseries could play a pivotal role in promoting the tree and highlighting its ecological value,” said Mathalauga.

The tree wisteria is not marked as endangered on the South African tree list compiled by the institute.

He said the tree wisteria has several benefits. It requires less maintenance than a jacaranda and is also pest-resistant. It also contributes to the ecosystem as it attracts indigenous birds and insects.

His favourite tree is a baobab. “They hold a very special place in my heart because this tree embodies resilience and endurance in a way that deeply resonates with my life experiences. The tree can manage to survive for thousands of years. It serves as a powerful symbol of strength and reminds me that we can overcome adversity and flourish no matter how hard the challenges we face.”

He obtained his honours with research on how an Asian beetle impacted the tree of the KwaZulu-Natal Botanical Garden.

“It was detected for the first time in 2017 and impacted some of the oldest trees in the Garden and also had an impact on fruit trees. Part of my focus was to analyse the rate at which the beetle was spreading across the region so that we could perhaps identify an environmental practice that can reduce the rate at which the pest was attacking the trees,” said Mathalauga.

His interest in trees was sparked by growing up in Limpopo.

“Trees are part of our community’s culture. It is where we go to share stories. These deep connections sparked my passion for conservation as I became aware of the threats that trees face from invasive species and urbanisation.”

It is indeed such a place in Limpopo, Thulamela, where he goes when he wants to connect with nature.

“It is not only about the natural wonders of the trees in the area but what they symbolise: resilience and history. Having stood for centuries through countless seasons these ancients embody the rich cultural heritage of the region standing as silent witnesses to the stories and traditions of the people who have lived alongside them.”

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