Mwongo
Julbernardia globiflora

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 5-15 m tall. The crown can be flat or rounded. The young branches are hairy. The bark is rough and grey. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. There are 4-6 pairs of leaflets. These are 2-9 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. The flower panicles are 30 cm long. The petals are white. The fruit are pods 4-9 cm long by 2-3 cm wide. The seeds are dark brown and about 1.5 cm long.

The leaves are eaten by edible caterpillars. Several parts are used in traditional medicine. This legume tree does not form nodules. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in deciduous woodland especially in drier areas and poorer soils. It grows up to 1,950 m altitude. In Zimbabwe it grows between 760-1,660 m above sea level. Brisbane Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Edible insects, poisonous

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kabunga, Mnondo, Muindi, Munhondo, Munondo, Mupacala, Musombo, Mutondo, Nampacala, Othaku, Pacala, Umtshonkwe

Synonyms

Berlinia eminii Taub.; Berlinia globiflora (Benth.) Harms; Brachystegia globifera Benth.; Isoberlinia globiflora (Benth.) Hutch ex Greenway; Pseudoberlinia globifera (Benth.) P. A. Duvign.;