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Synonyms: |
Copaifera coleosperma Benth. |
Common names: | Large false mopane (English) Mchibi (English) Rhodesian mahogany (English) Umtshibi (Ndebele) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Medium to large, almost evergreen, tree, to 20 m. Bark very characteristic, pinkish-cream with flaking patches of dark brown to black. The dark patches are often very extensive in older trees, giving them a burnt look. Leaves 2-foliolate; leaflets broadly sickle-shaped, 3-10 cm long, very asymmetric, glossy green above, paler below, hairless; apex acuminate. Flowers in lax terminal heads, creamy-white, c. 1 cm in diameter. Fruit a broad, woody pod, only 2-3 cm long, dark brown, splitting on one side only, partially releasing a single brown seed with a bright red aril, which is still attached to the pod by a narrow stalk. |
Notes: | Note: the seeds and arils are eaten and have saved the lives of people in times of famine. |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Habitat: | Occurring almost exclusively on Kalahari sand in open woodland and dry forest. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 750 - 1400 m |
Flowering time: | (Oct-)Dec - Mar |
Worldwide distribution: | Angola, southern DRC, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe |
Zimbabwe distribution: | W |
Growth form(s): | Tree. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Sunday 22 July 2007 |
Literature: |
Brummitt, R.K., Chikuni, A.C., Lock, J.M. & Polhill, R.M. (2007). Leguminosae Subfamily Caesalpinioideae Flora Zambesiaca 3(2) Pages 44 - 46. (Includes a picture). Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Page 318. (Includes a picture). Curtis, B.A. & Mannheimer, C.A. (2005). Tree Atlas of Namibia National Botanic Research Institute, Windhoek Pages 204 - 205. (Includes a picture). Drummond, R.B. (1972). A list of Rhodesian Legumes. Kirkia 8(2) Page 213. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 242. Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 254. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 44. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 67. Steedman, E.C. (1933). Some Trees, Shrubs and Lianes of Southern Rhodesia. Page 21. as Copaifera colesperma Timberlake, J.R. & Childes, S.L. (2004). Biodiversity of the Four Corners Area: Technical Reviews Volume Two (Chapter 5-15) Appendix 5-1: Plant Checklist Occasional Publications in Biodiversity 15 Page 209. Van Wyk, B. & Van Wyk, P. (1997). Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Struik, South Africa Pages 378 - 379. (Includes a picture). Wild, H., Biegel, H.M. & Mavi, S. (1972). A Rhodesian Botanical Dictionary of African and English Plant Names Ministry of Agriculture Page 177. |
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