Faurea saligna Harv.

Species Classification

Faurea saligna Harv. is a graceful, semi-deciduous tree that belongs to the Proteaceae family.

Size

It typically reaches around 10 metres (33 ft) in height, and can grow up to 20 metres (66 ft) when growing in forest conditions.

Distribution Range

This tree is found ranging from tropical Africa south to Transvaal, Swaziland, and Natal.

Habitat

It often grows in large groups on sandy soil and alongside stream beds.

Bark and Leaf Characteristics

Its bark is dark-grey to black, rough, and deeply fissured, while its narrow, drooping leaves resemble willow leaves — the specific epithet saligna means Salix-like.

Timber Uses

The timber of this tree was highly valued by the Voortrekkers for making furniture, and they named it Transvaal Boekenhout because the timber resembles that of the European Beech.

Genus Diversity

There are approximately 15 species in the genus Faurea, which are distributed across Africa and Madagascar.

Genus Etymology

William Henry Harvey named the genus in honor of William Caldwell Faure (1822–1844), a young soldier and enthusiastic botanist who was killed in India.

Faure Family Background

Faure was the son of Abraham Faure, a Dutch Reformed minister from Cape Town.

Faure's Early Botanical Activities

He had accompanied Harvey on many botanising excursions, and left the Cape for India in 1844 after receiving a military commission with the East India Company.

Faure's Early Time in India

He contracted cholera shortly after arriving, but luckily recovered.

Faure's Fatal Incident

A few months later, while crossing a forested ravine in the company of several fellow soldiers on his way to rejoin his regiment, he was shot by a sniper.

He died around twelve hours after the shooting.