Msasa
Brachystegia spiciformis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A medium to large tree. It grows 8-15 m high. The branches twist and curve. The leaves hang downwards. They are dark green a and shiny. The leaflets are usually in 4 pairs. The pair of leaflets at the end are the largest. The leaflets are 2.5-8 cm long by 1-4.5 cm wide. They taper towards the tip. The base is unequal. The flowers are small and greenish. They grow in short dense spikes at the ends of branches. These are 3-6 cm long. The fruit are large woody pods. They are flattened and 14 cm long. They are dark brown and smooth when mature. The split open explosively.

Also as Caesalpinaceae. This legume tree does not form nodules.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open deciduous forest. It tolerates a wide range of soil types. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,060-2,000 m above sea level. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Australia, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seed are dried and boiled then eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. Seed germinate easily. Seedlings are hard to transplant.

Trees are rather slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Igonde, Kampela, Kwidi, M'roto, M'rrayuto, Msasa, Muputu, Musasa, Mutupureo, Mutatsa, Mutuya, Nkuidi, Pacola, Tsamba

Synonyms

Brachystegia appendiculata Benth.; Brachystegia bragaei Harms; Brachystegia edulis Hutch. & Burtt Davy; Brachystegia europhylla Harms; Brachystegia hockii De Wild.; Brachystegia randii E.G. Baker;