THIS week I need to follow up on two recent columns, one on solar lighting and the other on our tassel berry tree.
I’m very gratified at the reaction to my column on the solar light we have installed and it’s inspired me to do some more homework. I find that there are quite a few options locally, which is really good news.
I have discovered a whole range of products that includes built-in solar panels that not only provide conventional space lighting, but all sorts of other functions as well.
First the space lighting – there are lamps the size of a hurricane lantern that will light up a reasonably-sized room or office, a stoep or a patch of garden or garage.
On the subject of stoeps, there are lamps that are cubic and not only light up space, but act as occasional tables as well.
There are many different varieties that will light up a braai area and garden, many of them specifically designed to fit into the natural surroundings, hanging from trees and so on.
There is one that will float on a swimming pool or pond, illuminating it at night and recharging itself during the day, and one that can be sunk into the ground to light up a path or driveway.
Others are much favoured by fishermen down on the beach, others will provide light AND charge a cellphone. There are those that make perfect night lights for children’s rooms, while others are designed to cast a romantic and even flickering light like a candle, and will allow the addition of water and a flower for a romantic dinner. Almost something for everyone*
It’s vital to remember that solar lighting is not just there for those load-shedding evenings, it is an alternative source of energy for every night. Importantly, once the equipment has been bought the light it provides is absolutely free and very green, you just need sunlight. Give it a try.
And now that tassel berry tree, which has elicited considerable interest, and new information.
For example, tassel berries come in male and female with different flowers and those telltale catkins.
The tassels on the male tree are much longer than those on the female tree and quite naturally the female tree is the one that bears the berries.
Ours is very definitely a girl tassel berry, and a very popular one at that.
The bark, the leaves, the roots and the berries of these trees are all used medicinally, but the fruit is particularly popular with birds, monkeys and us.
The tassel berry’s Afrikaans name is the voëlsitboom (the tree in which the birds sit), and I’ve since learned that it’s just the same in Zulu, umHlanlanyoni.
I’m told that the fruit is a tasty treat for Zulu kids and we tried it with our sundowners the other night, instead of olives and cheese – indeed, a tasty treat. Cheers!**
*Contact Tommy Bezuidenhout 039 3112287.
**Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei, Elsa Pooley, Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban, 1993 and personal communication with David Hallé
