Lannea schweinfurthii

Lannea schweinfurthii (Engl.) Engl. var. stuhlmannii(Engl.) Kokwaro (Lannea stuhlmannii (Engl.) Engl.)

Common names

False marula (English); senanga (Bemba); chilusa (Bemba/Kunda/Nyanja).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A medium sized deciduous tree with a rounded crown, dark grey bark with leaves crowded at the ends of the twigs. Leaflets densely hairy on the undersurface. There is a variety occurring in higher rainfall areas in which the undersurface of the leaves is smooth. The yellowish green flowers appear in early spring (October-November) when the tree is still leafless. The mature fruits are dark purple and ripe in February.

Range and habitat

In Mopane woodland on sand, and in thicket. This is a common tree in the valley.