African Walnut, Tree fuchsia
Schotia brachypetala

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A wide spreading tree. It grows up to 15 m tall. The trunk can be 60 cm across. The bark in young trees is smooth and brown but becomes rough in mature trees. The leaves are smooth or hairy. They leaves are 17 cm long by 8 cm wide. They have a leafy structure (stipule) at the base. The leaves are composed of 4-7 pairs of oblong leaflets. The leaflets have lopsided bases. The upper leaflets are the largest. The flowers are crimson and cup shaped. The flowers face upwards and are filled with nectar. This nectar is edible. It is the sepals and stamen, not the petals that make up the attractive flower. The flowers are produced on the old wood. The pods are brown and 12 cm long by 5 cm wide. They contain 6 light brown seeds. These have a lime green layer (aril) over one end. The seeds are edible after roasting.

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to E and S Africa. It grows in dry savannah. It also grows along streams in semi-desert areas. It can grow in arid places. It usually grows in termite mounds. In Zimbabwe it grows between 620-1,470 m above sea level. Melbourne Botanical gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens. National Arboretum Canberra. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Hawaii, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Pacific, Pakistan, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tasmania, Uganda, USA, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are roasted and eaten. The flowers are chewed.

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts, nectar, flowers

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed. The seeds germinate well. Seedlings also transplant easily.

It is very slow growing on heavy soils. It grows fast in sandy soils.

Its other names

Local names

Hottentot bean, Huilboerboom, Molope, Mulubi, Mununzwa, Mulunzwu, Mutanswa, Mutondochuru, Mutondoshuru, Mutondosvi, Nyamari, Sihlati, Sihlazi, Thunzikhulu, Uvovovo, Vovovo, Weeping boer-bean, Weeping Boerboon, Weeping schotia

Synonyms

Schotia rogersii Burtt Davy; Schotia semireducta Merxm.; Schotia latifolia sensu Dale; Schotia semireducta Merxm.;