Schotia brachypetala

Sonder

African Walnut, Tree fuchsia

Fabaceae Edible: Seeds, Nuts, Nectar, Flowers Potential hazards — see below 1,636 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Schotia brachypetala, the weeping boer-bean, is a leguminous flowering tree in the family Fabaceae (bean family/pod-bearing family/legumes) and the subfamily Detarioideae. The woodland tree is native to Africa south of the Zambezi River, where it occurs at middle altitudes. It is well-suited as shade or ornamental tree in warmer regions, and is consequently widely cultivated in gardens and parks. It is named for the copious nectar that drips from its flowers, which attracts various species of birds and insects. It is known by various other names, including tree fuchsia, African greenheart and African walnut.

Description

A wide spreading tree. It grows up to 15 m tall. The trunk can be 60 cm across. The bark in young trees is smooth and brown but becomes rough in mature trees. The leaves are smooth or hairy. They leaves are 17 cm long by 8 cm wide. They have a leafy structure (stipule) at the base. The leaves are composed of 4-7 pairs of oblong leaflets. The leaflets have lopsided bases. The upper leaflets are the largest. The flowers are crimson and cup shaped. The flowers face upwards and are filled with nectar. This nectar is edible. It is the sepals and stamen, not the petals that make up the attractive flower. The flowers are produced on the old wood. The pods are brown and 12 cm long by 5 cm wide. They contain 6 light brown seeds. These have a lime green layer (aril) over one end. The seeds are edible after roasting.

Edible Uses

Roasted seeds are eaten. Traditionally, the pods are picked green and then roasted. The seeds would have effectively been steamed inside the pods before being removed and eaten. They are low in fat and protein, but have a high carbohydrate content. The roasted seed has been used as a coffee substitute. The flowers, which produce abundantly nectar, are sometimes chewed.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are roasted and eaten. The flowers are chewed.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The flowers are chewed as a traditional use.

Known Hazards

It has been reported that wood dust may cause allergic reactions to the eyes.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It is native to E and S Africa. It grows in dry savannah. It also grows along streams in semi-desert areas. It can grow in arid places. It usually grows in termite mounds. In Zimbabwe it grows between 620-1,470 m above sea level. Melbourne Botanical gardens. Hobart Botanical Gardens. National Arboretum Canberra. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Botswana, East Africa, Eswatini, Hawaii, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Pacific, Pakistan, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Tasmania, Uganda, USA, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seed. The seeds germinate well. Seedlings also transplant easily.

Propagation

Seed - sow in a seedtray in a somewhat shaded position. Presoaking overnight in warm water is not essential, but may speed up the germination process. The seed usually germinates well. Truncheon cuttings - take while the tree is not in active growth, and place in well-drained sandy soil in a cool shady spot and keep damp but not wet.

Other Uses

The bark has been used for tanning and also gives a reddish brown dye. The heartwood is dark brown to nearly blackish, often with a greenish tinge; it is distinctly demarcated from the pinkish sapwood, which changes to yellowish brown upon exposure. The texture is fine and dense. The wood is heavy and hard, only moderately durable, but quite resistant to termites. A good quality wood, it is used for furniture, flooring, wagon beams and carving.

Production

It is very slow growing on heavy soils. It grows fast in sandy soils.

Notes

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Synonyms

Schotia rogersii Burtt DavySchotia semireducta Merxm.Schotia latifolia sensu DaleSchotia semireducta Merxm.

Also Known As

Hottentot bean, Huilboerboom, Molope, Mulubi, Mununzwa, Mulunzwu, Mutanswa, Mutondochuru, Mutondoshuru, Mutondosvi, Nyamari, Sihlati, Sihlazi, Thunzikhulu, Uvovovo, Vovovo, Weeping boer-bean, Weeping Boerboon, Weeping schotia

References (35)

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Drummond, R. B., 1981, Common Trees of the Central Watershed Woodlands of Zimbabwe, National Herbarium Salisbury. p 68

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