Flora Detail

Common Name Seaguarri, Dune Guarrie, seeghwarrie, duineghwarrie
Family Ebenaceae
Date Observed 04-03-2022
Category Bushes
Catalogue No. 4412RG
Flowering Time Summer
Colour White to Grey
Locations Observed
Estuary
Koppie
Nature Reserve Few
Small Holding
Village
Greater Rooiels

Euclea racemosa

Information

Seaguarri, Dune Guarrie, seeghwarrie, duineghwarrie

Euclea racemosa (the sea guarrie or dune guarrie) is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that is indigenous to the Indian Ocean coast of Africa from Egypt to South Africa, as well as in ComorosOman and Yemen.[1]

Euclea racemosa has leathery foliage that can be exceptionally even and dense - making it an ideal plant for hedges. A dioecious tree (male and female flowers on separate trees), it produces small white flowers, which are followed by red, purple and black fruits that attract birds.
The berries are used locally to make "Guarrie vinegar". [2]

The name guarrie appears to derive from the local Khoe language, in which it is spelled gwarri.

Leaves leathery, oval, paler green below and slightly darker above, reddish leaf stalks; small creamy-white flowers, glabrous, deeply cleft, in drooping spikes up to 4cm long, sweetly scented. Fruits thinly-fleshed maturing to black