Blinkblaar Wag 'n Bietjie (Buffalo Thorn) Ziziphus mucronata

Blinkblaar Wag 'n Bietjie (Buffalo Thorn) Ziziphus mucronata

Today I am writing on a tree named Blinkblaar Wag 'n Bietjie. If translated directly into English it says Shiny Leave Wait a Bit. This is because of the trees shiny leaves and small thorns, into which one can become stuck, when walking past to closely. One then have to wait a bit to untangle oneself from the thorns. The correct English name is however Buffalo Thorn.

This tree is native to Southern Africa and can grow up to 17m tall. It's bark is quite rough in texture, and I do love the look of it!!

Interestingly enough the young trees have more thorns than adult trees, and adult trees can even loose all their thorns.

This tree does have some medicinal uses, where the roots can be used as pain killers and the leaves and bark is used for respiratory and skin ailments.

In Zulu culture these trees are also used to mark graves of chiefs who has died.

You can read more about this interesting tree by clicking on the link: Blinkblaar Wag 'n Bietjie.

I hope you enjoyed the post, have a wonderful day!!

Stay Safe!