African wattle, Weeping wattle
Peltophorum africanum
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A tree. It grows 10 m tall. It has a rusty brown covering over the plant. It does not have thorns. It loses many leaves during the year. The leaves are twice divided. There are 7 pairs of pinnae about 6 cm long each with 15 pairs of leaflets. These are 8 mm long by 3 mm wide. The flowers are in branching groups at the end of the plant. These are 20 cm long. There are many flowers close together. They are yellow. The fruit are flattened pods that taper to both ends. They are 7 cm long by 2 cm wide. There are about 2 seeds.
Also as Caesalpinaceae.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in open woodland and on rocky outcrops and river banks. It is often on sandy soils. It grows from sea level to 1,950 m altitude. It grows in areas with a rainfall of about 100 mm per year. It can tolerate drought. It can grow in arid places. In the Brisbane Botanical gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Australia, Africa, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The gum is eaten as a snack.
Edible parts
Leaves, gum
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds. Seeds germinate easily.
Plants grow quickly.
Its other names
Local names
Dzedze, Lisikhabakhombe, Mahabiya, Mashubane, Mezeze, Mosetlha Modija, Mudjiza, Muparara, Mupumhamauva, Musambanyoka, Muzeze, Mwenza, Umkahla, Umsehla, Zeze