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Ocotea bullata
Ocotea bullata, (stinkwood or black stinkwood, Afrikaans: Stinkhout, Xhosa: Umhlungulu, Zulu: Umnukane)[2][3] is a species of flowering tree native to South Africa. It produces very fine and valuable timber which was formerly much sought after to make furniture. Due to over-exploitation it is now a protected species.[clarification needed] Other names for it are Cape Walnut,[4] Cape laurel,[4] and laurel wood.[4] The name "stinkwood" comes from a strong smell that is released when it is fresh felled. Description It is a large, evergreen tree, that grows up to 30 m tall. The leaves are dark green and glossy, with bubbles (bullae) produced on the upper surface of the leaves, hence the specific name bullata. DistributionThis tree is indigenous to the high forests of South Africa, from Table Mountain in the south, to the afro-montane forests of Limpopo in the north. UsesThe tree yields a beautiful timber much prized by cabinet-makers. The wood is dark walnut or reddish brown to black with a yellow sap-wood, and the grain extremely fine, close, dense and smooth. It is said to be as durable as teak. The tree is badly overexploited and the wood is no longer available commercially. CultivationOcotea bullata can be a very impressive tree for a larger garden or park. Care must be taken with their planting and they prefer a shady position but, once established, they are quite fast growing. Pests and diseasesOcotea bullata can be attacked by the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi, which causes dieback. Trees are more prone to attack in areas of indigenous forest that have been disturbed for commercial purposes.[5]
See also Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ocotea bullata. References
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