The Fever Tree can be found growing in groups in the low-lying, sub-tropical, swampy areas of the Northern province, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
The beautiful form of this striking indigenous tree and its unusual sulphur-yellow bark, makes it easily identifiable in the wild. It has a single, straight, smooth trunk with a sparse, roundish, spreading canopy. The bark of the trunk and branches is flaky and peels off in paper-thin layers. It has small feathery green leaflets and the small, straight white thorns are carried in pairs. Sweetly-scented bright yellow flower balls appear from September to November, followed by flat, brown, bean-like brown pods in late summer. When it is in bloom; it will attract bees, butterflies, insects and insect eating birds.

As the shade it gives is sparse many plants will grow underneath it, making it a perfect specimen to plant in a lawn. It makes an unforgettable avenue tree and looks lovely if planted in groups. It is excellent for wetland areas where it will provide valuable nesting sites for birds like weavers. The fever tree makes a fascinating bonsai specimen.

It acquired its common name of Fever tree because it thrives in swampy areas, along riverbanks, in seasonally flooded areas or at the edge of vleis, in areas where malaria was a scourge and the pioneers thought that it was the trees that inflicted the disease upon those who passed near to it. The leaves are browsed by game, monkeys and baboons eat the flowers, young shoots and seeds and elephants eat the pods, leaves and branches. The wood is hard and heavy and is used as timber and the bark is used for treating fevers and eye complaints. The Fever Tree is a popular medicinal species in South Africa that is traded widely. Due to increasing encroachment in its natural habitat, there is increasing pressure on this beautiful tree.

The Fever Tree is a medium to large growing tree, varying in height and spread, depending on where it is grown and can reach 10 to 15m tall and 10m wide under optimal conditions. It loses its leaves in winter and makes a beautiful silhouette during the winter months. It will tolerate moderate frost if it is planted in a protected part of the garden. Cover young plants in winter to protect them from frost. If it is planted in damp, loamy soil in full sun and is water regularly, this tree will grow exceptionally fast. It is not very drought tolerant. It grows easily from seed; soaked in boiling water overnight.