Erythrophleum africanum

Erythrophleum africanum (Benth.) Harms

Common names

Ordeal tree (English); mwavi (Bemba/Kunda); kayimbi (Bisa/Nyanja); kalunguti, kawidzi (Nyanja).

The English common name ‘ordeal tree’ refers to the use of this species in ordeals designed to sniff out witches in the past (see below).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A tall tree to 18 m, with a long, straight bole and spreading to rounded crown, Erythrophleum africanum is recognised by its black crocodile skin bark and fresh green leaflets. Bark: Dark grey to black, reticulate, smooth grey when young. Exudes copious red gum when damaged. Leaves: Compound bipinnate, paripinnate (3-4 pairs), alternate; leaflets assymetric ovate to oblong, 1-3 x 2.5-6 cm. Leaflets papery, mid-green with yellow midrib and veins, shiny above, hairy below. Flowers: In dense, terminal, spikes up to 9 cm long. Flowers honey scented, 3-5 mm diameter, cream coloured with red anthers; calyx and pedicels velvety. Produced September-October. Fruit: A flat, brown, oblong pod, 9-15 x 2-4 cm, splitting open to reveal 1-5 red-brown, coin-shaped seeds, 8-10 mm in diameter. Fruits mature from May to September of the year following flowering.

This species can be confused with Burkea africana, and the Lunda name for the two species is the same. However, Burkea has glaucous (cabbage blue) leaflets, and its branch tips are covered with rusty hairs.

Range and habitat

Erythrophleum africanum occurs throughout the region, and tropical Africa. It is primarily a tree of sandy soils, and is a good indicator of deep, well-drained sites. It is found in many woodland types including Kalahari woodland, Chipya and mixed woodland, and is often associated with Burkea. In the valley it is found in Combretum-Terminalia woodland and in hill miombo woodland on deep soils.