African sumac is a medium-sized evergreen tree. It has a rounded trunk of the same or greater size. It grows with several branches, to a height of 20-30 meters. The beautiful leaves range in color from light green to green and give off a pleasant aroma when crushed. The leaves are divided into 3 short segments, 3-5 inches each. The flowers are yellow-green and hard to see. They appear in winter. Birds eat the small seeds that follow. The scientific name of this tree changes from Rhus to Searsia in , but many nurseries do not follow this change.
African sumac was first introduced to the United States in Tucson, Arizona; here it showed good resistance to heat, cold, poor soil and drought. Like most plants, they grow faster and larger if planted in well-drained soil with regular watering. It has been planted as a street and garden shade tree for many years in hot and sunny places in the interior.
| Common Name | African fern pine |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Afrocarpus gracilior or Podocarpus gracilior |
| Family | Podocarpaceae |
| Plant Type | Tree |
| Foliage Character | Evergreen |
| Habit | Low-branching |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Foliage Color | Medium green, Dull green |
| Flower Color | Insignificant |
| Flower Season | Winter |
| Soil Type | Well-drained |
| Soil Adaptations | Well-draining soil, Calcareous soil |
| Soil pH | Acidic, Neutral |
| Exposure Adaptations | Heat, Drought, Aridity, All day sun |
| Sun Exposure | Full, partial |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Hardiness Zones | 9–11 (USDA) |
| Function | Wildlife value, Shade Tree, Parks and open space, Civic spaces |
| Height | 20 ft. – 30 ft. |
| Width | 20 ft. – 30 ft. |
| Mature Size | 40–60 ft. tall, 20–35 ft. wide |
| Native Area | Africa |
The table below provides a guide to monthly watering schedules and the extra water needed to grow plants in a year. Some months have enough rain so that irrigation is not needed. They are marked with an asterisk (*). High and low humidity show it can grow in various waters. Watering at the high end of the range will make it grow faster and larger.
