Afzelia quanzensis (pod mahogany, Afrikaans: peulmahonie, Venda: mutokota, Zulu: inkehli) is a species of tree native to sub-Saharan Africa.[3] It ranges from Somalia and Democratic Republic of the Congo to South Africa.[2] It is a protected tree in South Africa.[3] It belongs to the Cassia Subfamily (Caesalpinoideae) of the Bean Family (Fabaceae).
| Pod mahogany | |
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| A. quanzensis in Kruger National Park | |
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| Flower | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Afzelia |
| Species: | A. quanzensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Afzelia quanzensis Welw. (1859)
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
editThis deciduous tree can grow up to 20m in height, (occasionally to 115 feet (35 meters)[4]) and has smooth, grey bark, which can flake in irregular patches. It has glossy dark green leaves and blooms between October and November. The flowers have a solitary large red petal. After flowering, it produces a seed capsule, a thick wood-like pod, up to nine inches (23 cm ) in length, which contains 6 or 7 black seeds with a hard, bright red aril covering one end.[5]
Uses
editThe seeds are sometimes made into native necklaces and the timber is an ornamental and lumber hardwood, used in furniture, parquet flooring and railway sleepers.[5]
This plant may be used in traditional medicine.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Hills, R. (2019). "Afzelia quanzensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T60757666A60757681. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T60757666A60757681.en. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- ^ a b Afzelia quanzensis Welw. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Protected Trees" (PDF). Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Republic of South Africa. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 July 2010.
- ^ Everard, Barbara; Morley, Brian D. (1970). Wild Flowers of the World. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. p. Plate 54.
- ^ a b Drummond, R.B., ed. (1972). The Bundu Book of Trees, Flowers and Grasses (2nd ed.). Salisbury, Rhodesia: Longman Rhodesia. p. 19. ISBN 058257532X.
- ^ Cumes, David (2009). Healing trees & plants of the Lowveld. Rael Loon, Dries Bester. Cape Town, South Africa: Struik Nature. ISBN 978-1-77007-833-8. OCLC 506229195.
External links
edit- Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Afzelia quanzensis". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.
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