Dais continifolia

Click on an image to enlarge it.

Botanical Name

Dais continifolia

Family

Thymelaeaceae - The fibre-bark and gonna family.

Pronunciation

DAY-is koe-tin-ih-FOE-lee-ah

Common Name(s)

Pompon tree, Pincushion tree; Kannabas, Speldekussing; inTozani (Xhosa); inTozwane-emnyama (Zulu))

Plant Group

Tree A woody, self-supporting perennial plant usually with a single main stem and generally growing more than 6 meters tall.

Plant Size

Small

Tree 4m to 8m

Shrub 50cm to 75cm

Perennial/ground cover 10cm to 20cm

Bulb 20cm to 30cm

Succulent 10cm to 20cm

Position

Partial Shade The area is in shade for part of the day and in full sun for part of the day.
Sun The area is in full sun for all or most of the day, all year round.

General Information

Deciduous to Semi-deciduous In warmer areas a deciduous plant may not lose its leaves during winter at all, or may lose its leaves for a very brief period, or may only lose part of its foliage.
Drought Tolerance: Medium The plant is moderately adapted to arid conditions and can survive short periods of drought and high temperatures without extra water.
Frost: Hardy The plant can withstand freezing temperatures or frost without artificial protection.
Water Moderate These plants will need some extra watering compared to water-wise plants. Plant them together, in at least some shade and in a convenient proximity to the house so that grey water can be utilised during times of drought.

Specific Information

The pompon tree has a rounded, leafy crown and usually flowers from its second year. In warm climates the trees lose their leaves briefly at the end of winter, while in very cold areas the trees are deciduous. They are quick growing and reach their full height within 4 to 5 years,

Flowers

Description

many small, tubular flowers in tight bunches

Season

Summer Plants will seldom bloom for the entire season as given in the list, but should flower during a period within these parameters.

Colour

pink

Growth Rate

Fast Specifying growth rate can be very misleading as there is considerable variation of growth rate depending on type and species of plant, available water, supplementary feeding, mulching and general care, as well as the plants suitability and adaptability to the garden environment.

Plant Uses

Attracts bees and other insects This plant attracts insects which can be food for birds or other creatures in your garden.
Attracts Birds This plant will attract birds.
Border A strip of ground, at the edge of a driveway or path in which ornamental plants or shrubs are planted.
Boundary A plant useful for planting around the edges of the property to form a green or colourful backdrop, an impenetrable hedge, to hide walls or create privacy.
Container Trees, shrubs and ornamental species that can adapt to growing in a restricted environment.
Filler Either a fast growing tree or shrub used temporarily to fill in an area while the permanent plants grow to a desired size, or a plant used to fill gaps in borders or beds.
Pioneer for new gardens A very fast growing plant, able to withstand hardship, that can be used to populate land that has recently been cleared of natural vegetation. These plants pave the way for slower-growing species by adding nutrients to the soil and creating leaf litter.
Provides light / dappled shade A tree with an open to sparse canopy, through which varying degrees of sunlight can penetrate.
Suitable for coastal gardens Plants adapted to dry, sandy soil, forceful wind, limited rainfall and intense sunlight.
Suitable for smaller gardens Such plants do not have invasive root systems, remain small or controllable and can often be grown in containers.
Wild Garden An indigenous garden planted for the benefit of wildlife and birds. Provides food, water, a variety of mini-biomes and no poisonous chemicals are used.

Ad Break

Distribution

eastern part of South Africa, on forest margins, wooded hillsides and in stony valleys

Planting Suggestions

Prepare a large hole of about 1 m x 1m, adding lots of compost and bone meal. Water the young tree regularly during the summer months for about two years. Mulch around the base and drip area of the tree will conserve water, reduce weed growth, keep the roots cool and feed the soil. Prune young trees lightly after flowering if a bushier effect is required.

See this blog post for more information.

Medicinal Uses

The bark is used as thread or cord and is reported to have the strongest fibre of any tree in KwaZulu-Natal.

Availability