Common Name:

General Information

Xanthocercis zambesiaca is an evergreen tree with a heavy, rounded crown and somewhat drooping branchlets; it usually grows from 7 - 18 metres tall, though specimens up to 30 metres are known. The tree often has a stout bole that branches from low down with many upright stems that are up to 8 metres tall before they also branch to form a large tree[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of wood. It is cultivated as an ornamental in Zimbabwe[].

Known Hazards

The sawdust strongly irritates the mucous membranes; protective measures are needed during sawing operations[].

Botanical References

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Range

Tropical Africa - Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, northeast S. Africa.

Habitat

Hot dry bushveld on deep alluvial soils near rivers and termite mounds, in valleys on river banks; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

The pulp in the seedpods is eaten[, ]. The fruit can be 25 - 30mm long on a stipe up to 10mm long, containing one, rarely two seeds[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is occasionally used although it strongly irritates the nose and throat during working[].

Propagation

Seed -

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