Dalbergia nitidula

Dalbergia nitidula Welw. ex Baker

Common names

Purplewood flat bean (English); kabulasese, kalongwe (Bemba/Nyanja).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A small tree to 9 m, Dalbergia nitidula is recognised by its dark green imparipinnate compound leaves, and its elliptic leaflets, which appear to have no lateral veins. A further distinguishing characteristic is the arrangement of the petiolules (leaflet stalks), which come off the main leaf stalk at right angles. Bark: Grey to dark grey-brown, deeply cracked and fissured longitudinally. Branchlets grey-brown pubescent. Leaves: Alternate, compound imparipinnate, with 9-15 leaflets, the petiolules perpendicular to the leaf rachis. The leaflets are ovate-elliptic to ovate-lanceolate with a rounded (sometimes cuspidate) to obtuse apex, typically 1.5-2.5 x 2.5-4 cm, and are dark olive green above, paler green below, with the midrib impressed on the upper surface, and the appearance of no lateral veins. The leaves appear as a salmon pink flush in September-October. Flowers: Produced as dense panicles in the leaf axils, the inflorescences (up to 10 cm long) are sweetly scented and attractive. Individual pea-like flowers are white, and up to 10 mm in length. Flowering takes place towards the end of the dry season around July-September. Fruit: A flattened, indehiscent, papery pod, 1-2 x 3.5-6 cm, with an acute apex, and containing 1-2 seeds. Pod covered in pale ochreous hairs, silvery when young. Ripening September- January.

Range and habitat

Dalbergia nitidula is apparently absent from Botswana, but is found in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and beyond. It is typical of miombo woodlands throughout the region, and is often found on sandy soils and escarpments. It is rare in the valley itself but has been recorded in Mopane woodland by W. L. Astle.