Nuxia floribunda, the forest elder, is a small to medium-sized tree with a shapely, spreading crown, growing from the Eastern Cape to tropical Africa in riparian areas, in forests and forest margins (SA Tree List No. 634). It reaches heights of 3 m to 10 m. The Nuxia genus has been moved from the Loganiaceae family to Buddlejaceae.

The bark is pale grey, may be smooth or rough and flaking, young branches angular and purplish with raised leaf scars. The leaves are opposite or in whorls of three, simple and tapering to the apex, with entire, wavy margins. Abundant sprays of small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers adorn the branches during winter. The specific name floribunda means many-flowered or flowering profusely.

The hard wood was used in wagon building in the past. The tree is a good garden subject with bees, insects and birds visiting in the flowering season. Leaves are browsed by livestock and game. The tree is frost and drought sensitive (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.plantzafrica.com).