The beautiful Blue guarri is a dense canopied evergreen tree or shrub characterised with blue-green foliage. This tree can be found in the bushveld, as well as in protected areas within grasslands, along the edges of forests, and frequently in rocky locations on slopes facing both north and south. Once established, it exhibits resilience to drought and frost, thriving in environments with full sunlight as well as those with partial shade. Euclea is a member of the Ebony Family and in South Africa, there are 35 species belonging to this family, all of which are characterized by their slow growth, either as trees or shrubs.

Euclea crispa is low branching and it either grows as a single-stemmed small tree or a multi-stemmed shrub. This tree can reach a mature height of 5m in the Highveld. The bark is smooth and rusty brown in young branches and trees. On mature specimens, it becomes grey to dark brown and breaks into uneven block-like shapes. Because of its leaf structure and how the leaves are positioned, Euclea crispa is frequently mistaken for Buddleja saligna and Olea europaea subsp africana. From spring to summer [from October to February], this tree produces bell-shaped flowers that range from whitish green to yellow. These blossoms emit a delightful fragrance that attracts bees. Male and female flowers grow on separate trees. The flowers are followed by black fruits that are edible to humans, birds and mammals.

Euclea crispa serves as an excellent natural barrier against wind and as a privacy screen. It can also offer protective cover for more delicate plant species. This tree’s neat growth habit makes it a perfect fit for smaller gardens. Its wide canopy not only provides shelter to birds and animals but also fills the air with a lovely fragrance in the spring and summer.