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This website is designed to help you to identify any tree or shrub that you might encounter in the Luangwa Valley. My definition of the valley extends to the Muchinga and eastern escarpments up to an altitude of about 800 metres (see habitat descriptions). My definition of 'tree/shrub' is a woody species that normally grows to a height of at least two metres, although there are a few exceptions (e.g. Acacia hockii ) that I have included to be on the safe side.

I estimate that there are about 250 species of trees and shrubs in the valley (see checklist), and I aim to make this website as comprehensive as possible. It accompanies a book - currently in preparation - which will include detailed observations on ecology and uses. If you can't key out or find your tree on this website, please send me a photograph - ideally a close up of leaves, flowers or fruits to smith_mopane@outlook.com . Let me know, also, if you are happy for your photos to be used on this site (you will be acknowledged). Thanks to Mark Hyde and our friends at Flora of Zimbabwe for permission to use some of their photos (http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/).

How to use this website

This site is designed to be as simple as possible to use. There are two main ways in which you can identify your tree or shrub:

1) Note the leaf arrangement of your tree and go to the appropriate page, by clicking on the links below, then use the photographs provided to identify your tree

2) If you have a vernacular name or a scientific name, use the 'search this site' feature above to look for your tree, and confirm its identity through the photographs and descriptions provided.