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Colophospermum mopane
Images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record
Photo: Bart Wursten
Hot Springs, Save valley
Photo: Bart Wursten
On path to campsite, Sinamatella, Hwange NP
Photo: Bart Wursten
Near the viewing platform, Masuma Dam, Hwange NP
Photo: Bart Wursten
Near the viewing platform, Masuma Dam, Hwange NP
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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)
| Synonyms: |
Copaifera mopane J. Kirk ex Benth. Hardwickia mopane (J. Kirk ex Benth.) Breteler |
| Common names: | Iphane (Ndebele) Mopane (English) Mupane (Shona) Musharu (Shona) Turpentine tree (English) |
| Frequency: | Common |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Small to medium-sized deciduous tree of hot low altitudes. Leaves 2-foliolate; leaflets asymmetric, up to 9 × 5 cm with several veins from the base. A terminal appendage may be present between the leaflets. Inflorescence. up to 7 cm. Flowers greenish. Sepals 4, 2 outer ± 6 × 5 mm, 2 inner ± 5.5 × 4.5 mm, ± reflexed in flower; petals absent; filaments long (up to 6 mm), exserted. Pod 3.5-6 × 2-3.2 cm. Seed ± 2.5 × 1.4 cm. |
| Notes: | In areas where it is heavily browsed by elephants the growth may be stunted and shrubby. |
| Derivation of specific name: | mopane: from the local name in Setswana and many other languages in Southern Africa. |
| Habitat: | Forms stands at lower and mid altitudes of often small to medium-sized trees or thickets of low shrubs; an indicator of low rainfall and shallow poorly-drained Sodium-rich soils. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 1350 m |
| Flowering time: | Oct - Mar (flowering erratic) |
| Worldwide distribution: | Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Limpopo, S Africa, just entering northern Mpumalanga. |
| Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
| Growth form: | ST |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | |
| Insects (whose larvae eat this species): | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Content last updated: | Monday 1 January 2007 |
| Literature: |
Van Wyk, B. & Van Wyk, P. (1997). Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Struik, South Africa Pages 378 - 379. (Includes a picture). |
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comments powered by DisqusOther sources of information about Colophospermum mopane:
Flora of Mozambique: Colophospermum mopaneBiodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Colophospermum mopane
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Colophospermum mopane
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Colophospermum mopane
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Colophospermum mopane
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) taxonomy for plants report for Colophospermum mopane
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Colophospermum mopane
JSTOR Plant Science: Colophospermum mopane
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Colophospermum mopane
Tropicos: Colophospermum mopane
West African Plants database: Colophospermum mopane
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