Forest boerboon, Bush boer-bean
Schotia latifolia

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A medium to large tree It can grow 12-15 m tall in forest. The bark is smooth and grey or brown. The leaves are 10 cm long by 8 cm wide. They are on stalks 2.5 cm long. The leaves may or may not have hairs. In young leaves the midrib is sometimes slightly winged. There are 3-5 pairs of large oblong leaflets. These are 6.5 cm long by 4 cm wide. The upper leaflets are the largest. The base is lopsided. The tip can be pointed or round. The base can be tapered or round. The flowers are pale pink and usually have 5 petals. They are produced in open bundles at the ends of branches. The pods are 15 cm long. They are hard and round. Inside there are several light brown seeds with a yellow layer around them. The seeds in the green pods are edible.

It forms hybrids with Schotia afra. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dry scrub forest. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Canary Islands, East Africa, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The green pods were roasted and the seeds eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bean tree, Elephant hedge, Ntsongo, Umgxamu

Synonyms

Schotia diversifolia Walp.; Schotia cuneifolia Gaud.;