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Is the answer to your next question Tamboti Tree?

Candelabra !!!That is exactly what I was trying to describe

I should know this - but the only tree I can remember associated with termite mounds is the weeping boerbean - and I don't think that is right! Seem to remember it is a tree that looks nothing like the rest of the euphorbias????? Looking forward to the answer!!!

:lol: Things are going faster than a charging lion around here!

Yes, there is a few "Naboom" species. These include the Lebombo Euphorbia, the Transvaal Candelabra tree, and the Common Tree Euphorbia.

Over there on that koppie (hill) is a beautiful example of a typical Candelabra.



All of the above however look very similar, in that their branches are thick and green with segments, and no obvious leaves. The branches have taken over the photosynthesis function.

There are however two members of the Euphorbia family that occur in the KNP that looks like a typical tree. The first being the Lebombo Ironwood.

The second one, and which was the object of my question is the Tamboti. Well done RosemaryH!

Grrrrrrrr!!! should have remembered that..... That is the tree you must never use for firewood too, isn't that right?

Yip! Why, and what can you use it for?

The milky latex is extremely toxic especially when heated so not suitable for cooking. The milky latex is used to poison fish for one but can irrate the skin and eyes.
The wood is popular for making furniture although I think even the sawdust can be harmful to the eyes,
A nasty beauty this one,

The smoke makes you sick - possibly the latex burning???? I think it is used for furniture though. And don't some brave local folk use the latex - cautiously - for toothache?

Yes!

It is a beautiful dark red coloured wood.

The latex poisons the fish by preventing them from being able to breathe. Leaves are crushed and thrown in to a small pool, releasing the latex. The fish die and start floating. The meat is not poisoned and can be eaten.

One use that you haven't mentioned is the use of Tamboti branches as fence poles. It is popular because the wood is hard and poisonous, so it last a long time against the ravages of insects and weather.

Such a lot to learn about a tree!!! Thank you I shall be looking out for that in July.

Wow...eventually caught up
I love the tamboti tree. its such a pretty interesting tree. also quite a photogenic tree.

Really interesting!

Keep going

Hi Guys

You can use it to braai on BUT you need to make sure that there are no flames, by them all the toxins are out.
People like to make walking sicks out of them to.

Leadwood?

Hi LadyRaven, welcome with us on this walk!

This is a little different from the other quizzes, so please refer to page one.

We are speaking about Tamboti at this stage.