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Products > Cussonia paniculata ssp. sinuata
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| Category: Tree |
| Family: Araliaceae (Ginsengs) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Height: 12-20 feet |
| Width: 10-15 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Cussonia paniculata ssp. sinuata (Mountain Cabbage Tree) - A slow growing sparsely-branched evergreen pachycaul succulent tree that grows to 10 to 15 feet tall with gnarled bark and thick branches bearing attractive glaucus gray-green palmate leaves. These leaves are divided into 8-12 long deeply-lobed leaflets that are held away from the stems on nearly foot long petioles. Once mature the plant produces small yellow flowers in summer that are tightly arranged on a woody branched inflorescence. The main trunk is usually unbranched in youth and then only branching after first flowering. Plant in full sun to light shade (will stretch to find sun) in a moderately well-draining soil and irrigate occasionally to very little. Hardy to short duration cold to 20° F - went undamaged in our nursery garden during the 1990 freeze with temperatures to 18° F and noted from South African gardens as dropping its leaves but recovering after hard frosts. An interesting accent plant used for its bold attractive foliage texture and color that can be used both in dry garden or the tropical garden. It is also very nice as a potted specimen, particularly when the thick swollen stem base and succulent roots are exposed. This plant comes from the Transvaal, Orange Free State, Natal, Eastern Cape and the Karoo in South Africa where it grows to nearly 7,000 feet in elevation and is often found growing out of crevices in rocks. Cussonia paniculata ssp. sinuata differs from the species in being a larger plant, having lobed leaflets and a much wider distribution. The genus was named by Carl Peter Thunberg (1743-1828), the Swedish naturalist often called "the father of South African botany" to honor Pierre (anglicized as Peter) Cusson (1727-1783), a French botanist who specialized in the Apiaceae. The specific epithet is from the Latin word ' panicula' meaning a "tuft" or "panicle" in reference structure of the inflorescence.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We also try to incorporate comments received from others and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Cussonia paniculata ssp. sinuata.
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