Nuxia pubescens Sond.

Nuxia congesta is a shrub or small tree, 3-15 m high. The stem is 20-60 cm in diameter. Bark grey or brown, rough and stringy, young twigs often red. Slash ivory-like in colour and texture. Leaves very variable, 1-8 cm long and 0.6-3.8 cm wide, arranged in whorls of 3 around the nodes. Leaf stalks short. Flowers borne on branched broad or flat and dense heads; small, tubular, white or cream with purplish tint and fragrant. Flowers persist on tree. Fruit a hairy capsule protruding from calyx. The basis of its specific name ‘congesta’ are the dense/crowded flowers. N. congesta is a very variable species and its long list of synonyms attests this nomenclatural fact.

N. congesta is monoecious, flower buds appear in autumn and develop slowly before blooming.

N. congesta is a pioneering tree on edges of light upland or lower montane forest, bamboo zone and on hilltops above the forest margin as part of sucession towards forest. Nuxia is also common on rocky ridges. In lower montane forest Nuxia is normally associated with Olea africana.

Direct seeding is most reliable in propagating the species.

Suckers frequently when managed with burning.

Asteridiella nuxiae, a pathogenic fungus is reported on N. congesta in Kenya.

Erosion control: The species protects loose soil on rocky sites. Shade or shelter: N. congesta is a shade tree. Reclamation: This is a hardy species suitable for marginal areas and rocky soils. Ornamental: An attractive species in flower, floral fragrance appealing. Boundary or barrier or support: N. congesta wood makes excellent, durable fence posts.

Apiculture: N. congesta is a good bee fodder tree. Fuel: The branches are used as firesticks. Timber: Wood is soft, white with little difference between sap and heartwood. The wood is used for building.