Sickle-leaved albizia
Albizia harveyi

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 15 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The crown is rounded and the stems are bare. The bark is dark grey-brown and has ridges along it. The leaves are compound and twice divided. They have a feathery appearance. There are 12-24 pairs of leaflets along 15 pairs of side stalks (pinnae). The leaflets are slightly curved. They have a sharp point. They are pale green underneath. The flower heads are round. They are creamy-white. They are at the ends of twigs and about 3 cm across. The fruit are flat pods. They are large and rusty-red and hang down. The pods are 15 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. They split open easily.

Also as Mimosaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It cannot tolerate cold. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall above 400 mm. It grows in sandy soil. It can tolerate salty soils. It grows between 40-2,130 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The gum is chewed as a snack.

Edible parts

Gum

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds need boiling water poured over them and then allowed to soak for 24 hours before planting.

Plants grow fairly slowly.

Its other names

Local names

Kikanana, Malacace, Mkami, Molalakgaka, Mucahanga, Muchangiza, Mugarahanga, Mugunduzi, Muwora, Umbola

Synonyms

Albizia pospischilii Harms;