There has been considerable disagreement over the correct name for this species. It was reduced to synonymy under Hardwickia mopane by Breteler, F. J. et al. 1997. Colophospermum reduced to Hardwickia (Leguminosae-Caesalpinioideae). Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., B, Adansonia 19:279 - 291. This was rejected by Léonard, J. 1999. Colophospermum n'est pas synonyme d'Hardwickia (Caesalpiniaceae). Conclusion d'une méthode objective de travail. Bull. Jard. Bot. Natl. Belg. 67:21 - 43. It has also been proposed, should the name change be accepted, that the genus Colophospermum be conserved and any species in Hardwickia be transferred to Colophospermum (Smith, P. P. et al. 1998. (1372) Proposal to conserve the name Colophospermum against Hardwickia (Leguminosae, Caesalpinioideae). Taxon 47:751 - 752). Until a concensus is reached we will continue using Colophospermum mopane, and also retain the genus Hardwickia binata in Hardwickia[].

Common Name:

General Information

Colophospermum mopane is a small to medium-sized deciduous, spineless tree, often with a thin, V-shaped crown; it usually grows from 4 - 18 metres tall but exceptionally can reach 30 metres[]. The tree produces one or more straight boles that can be 50 - 100cm in diameter[]. When growing in drier areas, the plant is more shrub-like, with more branches[].
A useful multi-purpose tree, it is often harvested from the wild for its medicinal uses and also for a wide range of commodities. The tree is also used in soil stabilization projects and is occasionally used as a source of food. Mopane is an important tree as an ecological dominant and fodder plant for many animals, particularly elephant[]. The pendulous leaves fold their single pair of leaflets together in hot sun and afford little shade, the large tracts of woodland being infamous for their monotony and lack of shade[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern Africa - Gabon, Congo, Angola, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, south to S. Africa.

Habitat

The dominant species over great areas in hot, dry, low-lying areas; often found on alluvial soils, but also tolerating alkaline and poorly drained soils. It is found at elevations of 60 - 1,000 metres, occasionally to 1,300 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the drier, lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,200 metres, growing best below 900 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 26 - 36°c, but can tolerate 12 - 50°c[]. It can be killed by temperatures of -1°c or lower[]. The plant only withstands mild frosts - heavy frosts may cause the branches to die back[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 250 - 500mm, but tolerates 150 - 900mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position, tolerating light shade[]. Flourishes in sandy soils and low-lying alluvium floodplains, but succeeds in most soils of moderate to low fertility[, ]. It prefers a well-drained soil, though can tolerate some water-logging[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7.5, tolerating 5 - 8.5[].
Trees can commence flowering when they are 5 years old[].
The sticky seeds cling to the hooves of passing animals and are dispersed. They are also wind dispersed[].
The leaves and fruits are very glandular and smell strongly of turpentine[].
The tree coppices vigorously after fire, frost or felling[].
Trees of this species are often hit by lightening during thunderstorms, and are considered to be a dangerous place to take refuge[].
The tree is host to a small, non-stinging but very irritating bee (Melipona species) that is attacted to the moisture of a victim's eyes and nose - attacks are most annoying around midday and repellents afford little relief[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Only used in times of shortage[].

Medicinal

An extract of the bark is used as a remedy for syphilis and as an application to inflamed eyes[]. A deep red decoction of the bark is drunk to cure stomach pains[].

An extract of the roots is used as a remedy for tapeworm[].

Stubborn wounds can be treated with the gum that is exuded from the heated wood[].

The leaves are used for healing wounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is useful in stabilizing dry, alkaline soils. It is listed as one of the tree species used in sand-dune stabilization in India[].
The ash is rich in calcium and potassium and is a useful fertilizer[].
A very shallow rooting plant, it can therefore survive on low mounds in wet areas, or under saline conditions as long as salinity in the topsoil is low[]. It thrives only where there is little competition from deep-rooting trees[].
The open crown casts little shade[]. In the heat of the day, in order to save water, the leaflets fold together and present the smallest surface area toward the sun, thereby reducing exposure of the leaf surface. This also prevents much shade from being cast[].

Other Uses

A small fibre is said to be obtainable from the bark of some trees[]. It is used to make twine[].

Tannin is obtained from the bark[].

The tree is the source of the resin Angola, or Congo, copal[, ]. Copal is a hard resin, obtained from various tropical trees, and mainly used in making varnish[]. Some trees yield no copal but ooze a clear yellow gum when the bark is incised.[].

The wood ash is high in lime (approximately 50%) and can be used to make whitewash[].

The twigs are used as toothbrushes[].

The dark-grey wood is hard, heavy, quite durable but difficult to work[, ]. It is used as mine timbers, fence posts, house poles, bridge timbers, railway material, carved ornaments, parquet flooring and furniture[]. Due to its great durability and resistance to termites, it is widely used for construction, tool handles and other implements[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[, ]. An excellent firewood, burning with great heat and very little ash; it burns easily, even when green[]. However, the hardness makes it difficult to fell, chop or split[].

Propagation

Seed - retains its viability for at least 3 years[]. The seed pods do not split open of their own accord and the seeds can germinate while still in the pod[]. Removing the seed from the pod does speed up germination but needs to be done carefully. They should be sown in flat seedling trays in river sand. Place the seeds on the sand surface. Keep the trays moist so that the seed can absorb water to germinate[]. The seedlings are initially slow growing but the growth rate speeds up once a height of about 20cm is reached. Transplanting will need to be done with care, try to avoid damaging the roots[].

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