| Brabejum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Genus: | Brabejum |
| Species | |
Brabejum A genus of a single species of evergreen tree, Brabejum stellatifolium, restricted in the wild of South Africa's Western Cape Province, where it grows in thickets along banks of streams. The plant is of botanical interest as being Africa's only member of the large grevilleoid subfamily. It is a bushy small tree with branches widely at ground level and numerous erect vigorous stems. Leaves to 6 in (15 cm) long, narrow and bluntly toothed, appear at intervals along the branches, mostly in whorls of 6. In summer, the plant bears white flowers densely crowded on spikes arising from rusty buds at the leaf axils. The fruits to 2 in (5cm) long, margenta to reddish brown, similar to an almond, appear in autumn. The nut is too bitter to eat; however, in earlier times it was boiled, roasted, and ground to make a "coffee" drink.
Early European settlers at the Cape planted dense hedges of them to protect their livestock, but the tree has otherwise not often been cultivated. Can be grown in any sheltered position, with moist well-drained soil. Propagate from fresh seed or cuttings.