Family: Rutaceae
Common Name: Cape Chestnut

This evergreen tree from South Africa should be more widely cultivated for its floral display. The beautiful, large, massed heads of pink flowers appear at the ends of the branches in late spring and early summer. It has oval, deep or grayish green leaves, dotted with oil glands that produce a noticeable aroma. Calodendrum makes an excellent street tree, provided it is not under power lines. Calodendrum is suitable for cultivation in California and Florida.

Species

C. capense is the only species cultivated. It has shiny, oval leaves to 13 cm (5 in) long and flesh pink flowers marked with purple dots. The trees have a fairly broad-domed crown and grow to 10-15 m (33-50 ft) tall.

Cultivation

This beautiful tree needs a rich soil, regular water and warm, sunny or subtropical conditions. They grow slowly when they are young and mature to variable heights, shapes and flowering ability. Propagate by cuttings of young wood in warm conditions.

Climate

Warmest parts of zone 9 and zone 10.