Pericopsis angolensis

Pericopsis angolensis (Baker) Van Meeuwen (Afromosia angolensis (Baker) Harms)

Common names

Afrormosia (English); mubanga, muwanga (Bemba/Bisa/Kunda/Nyanja/Tumbuka).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

Pericopsis angolensis is a medium to large tree up to 20 m in height, but usually somewhat smaller. It is a ubiquitous species, found in many habitats, and has an untidy habit, its bole and branches often being crooked and irregular. ‘Mubanga’ is well known to most rural Africans, as it is an important timber tree. Bark: Light grey to buff, scaly and flaking in large plates. Leaves: Alternate, compound, with 8-14 alternate leaflets plus a terminal leaflet, which is usually slightly larger than the others; the rachis is covered with golden brown hairs. The leaflets are ovate to elliptic (1.5-2.5 x 3.5-6 cm), leathery in texture and shiny to dull green above, lighter coloured below; the midrib on the lower leaf surface is covered in hairs and the lateral veins are inconspicuous. Flowers: Produced in axillary or terminal panicles, the pea-like flowers (1 cm diameter) are white with a fine network of purple lines. The pedicels and calyces are covered in golden brown hairs. Pericopsis flowers from September to November. Fruit: A flattened, indehiscent pod, 8-24 cm long, with a wing around its edge. The pods mature from July to September, and when ripe are straw coloured.

Range and habitat

Pericopsis angolensis is found throughout south central Africa, but is not recorded in Botswana. It occurs at a range of altitudes in a variety of woodland and wooded grassland habitats, including Munga, chipya and miombo. In the valley it is primarily associated with valley riverine fringe woodland and thicket; Combretum-Terminalia woodland; Combretum-Terminalia-Diospyros wooded grassland and hill miombo woodland.