Dwarf boer-bean, Small schotia
Schotia capitata

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or slender tree. It grows up to 6 m tall. Mostly it has a single stem but may have several stems. The branches point upwards. The bark is grey. The leaves are divided once. The leaves are 8 cm long and they fold along the midrib. There are usually 3-5 pairs of leaflets. They are rounded and 1.3-2.5 cm long. They do not have a stalk but have a sharply pointed tip. The flowers are bight scarlet and cup shaped. They occur in dense round bunches at the ends of branches. They flowers have lots of nectar. This is edible. The pods are large and woody. The edges have a broad rim. There are several pale seeds with a yellow layer around them.

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dry woodland and scrub. In Brisbane Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The nectar of the flowers is drunk.

Edible parts

Flowers - nectar

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dwarf boerboom

Synonyms

Schotia transvaalensis Rolfe; Schotia tamarindifolia Afzel. ex Sims var. forbesiana Baillon;