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GENERAL
Origin
:
tropical
Vigour
:
fast growing
Humidity
:
semi-arid, semi-
humid
Propagation :
sowing and
pricking out,
layer, cuttings
Maintenance :
moderate
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
vulnerable
Stagnant water :
resistant
Irrigation
:
medium
Salinity/ppm :
very high (30000
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-6°C
SHAPE
Type
:
tree, shrub
Height
:
15 m
Spread
:
6 m
Foliage
:
evergreen
FLOWER
Colour
:
pale yellow
Size
:
0.6 cm
Period
:
April - May
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
cones
Fruit size
:
1.5 cm
There is some confusion about the botanical name of this less common relative of C. erectus, and
it has also been referred to as C. lanceolatus, C. latifolia and Anogeissus latifolius. C. lancifolius
has a more open habit than C. erectus, and its leaves are longer, narrower and grey, rather than
lush green. Native to coastal and riverine areas of eastern Africa and Yemen, it is to be found
all over the Arabian peninsula, although it is not often seen in Arriyadh. The smell of the fluffy
yellow-green flowers in spring and autumn is unpleasant to some people, especially at nighttime,
in winter and when damp after rainfall. The tree’s wood is dense and suitable for charcoal: goats
browse on the young leaves. It is highly salt- and drought-tolerant, and planted in afforestation
projects. The C. lancifolius tree also plays a role in remediating heavy metal and oil-contaminated
soil. It makes an attractive specimen tree and has all of the properties attributed to C. erectus.
Silver buttonwood (C. erectus var. sericeus) is a variety that usually grows as a low-branching
shrub; under ideal conditions, it will become an attractive tree up to 15 m tall with a spread of 6
metres. The evergreen leaves are oblong to lance-shaped, up to 10 cm long and covered with silky
hairs, which gives a beautiful silver-grey colour which sparkles in the sun. It has great ornamental
value, and deserves to be seen more often in Arriyadh.
115
Conocarpus lancifolius,
Combretaceae
Button Mangrove