Lebombo-ysterhout – Androstachys johnsonii
- Tough, dark green leaves, densely hairy below and arranged in symmetrical pairs
- Linked with Madagascar & Baobabs (breakup of Gondwanaland 160million years ago)
- Male and female tree occur and are wind pollinated which is rare in Savannah plants therefore these trees are gregarious, forming dense stands along rocky ridges (Lebombo mountains)
- Rainfall in these regions would be too low to support lichens but they do grow, possibly because of the moisture derived from the regular fogs that characterize the Lebombos
- Timber is very fine, hard, durable & insect resistant
- Wood has a pleasant honey smell when burnt or worked but the honey from the flowers is said to be poisonous.
