Alberta Species, Natal Flame Bush

(Alberta magna) :Natal flame bush (Eng), Breekhout (Afr) uMabophe, isiQalaba (Xhosa), iGibampondo, umCumane (Zulu)

REGION:...Read MoreAlberta magna comes from forests, kloofs and valleys of the former Transkei in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
This is a very impressive indigenous shrub or tree, especially when in flower or fruit. At maturity Alberta magna has grey, rough bark on the stems, the branches are green or brown.
Leaves are simple and oppositely arranged. They are 7.5-13 cm long and up to about 5 cm broad, oblong or oval.
The bark of this tree is used in traditional medicine
It grows best in areas with moist climates and it does not like dry heat and cold. It is suited to coastal areas, with good specimens found in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth gardens, as well as in the Wildflower Garden at Paarl Rock.