Terminalia stuhlmannii

Terminalia stuhlmannii Engl.

Common names

Zigzag cluster leaf (English); nakabesya (Bemba, Kunda); gonondo, nachikulu, njoyi (Nyanja); kabesya, ngonono (Tumbuka).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

Terminalia stuhlmannii is most easily recognised by its clusters of small leaves arranged in a zigzag pattern on the branches. It is a small tree or shrub 3-4 m in height with a flattened crown and horizontal branches. Bark brownish grey or whitish grey, fissured, scaly or flaky. Branchlets form zigzag pattern. Leaves simple, in clusters at the ends of spur shoots, small, 1.5-6 x 1-2 cm. Leaves leathery, obovate-elliptic, yellowish green. Petiole short (<4 mm). Flowers whitish, produced in spikes up to 8 cm long (October-January). Fruit a flattened, two-winged capsule, purple-pink drying brown 2.3 x 1.8 cm (January-April).

Distribution and habitat

Terminalia stuhlmannii occurs in Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. In the Luangwa valley it is dominant in Combretum-Terminalia-Diospyros wooded grassland in the foothills of the Muchinga escarpment.