Julbernardia globiflora

Julbernardia globiflora (Benth.) Troupin

Common names

Mpasa, mupasa (Bemba); kamponi (Bemba/Kunda/Nyanja).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A medium-sized tree to 15 m, Julbernardia globiflora also grows as a shrub or, on thin, rocky soils, in stands of close set poles. It is recognised by its beaked golden brown pods often produced in profusion near the top of the tree. Bark: Smooth and grey in younger or smaller specimens, becoming browner and rougher in larger trees. Leaves: Alternate, compound paripinnate, with 4-6 pairs of oblong-elliptic leaflets, the leaflet base assymetric, and apex often tapering. The leaflets (1-3 x 3-7 cm) are mid-green and shiny above and below, with 3-4 veins radiating from the base, and with a fringe of hairs around the leaflet margin. Flowers: Produced in lax panicles in the axils of the leaves or at the ends of the branches, the flowers are creamy-white with the panicle and pedicels brown and velvety. Flowering takes place in March-May or in October-November. Fruit: A flattened pod (up to 2 x 9 cm), oblong-rhomboidal in shape with a sharp beaked apex, covered in golden brown hairs and containing 2-6 flat, round seeds. Fruits ripen from July to September when they open explosively, propelling the seeds some distance from the tree.

Julbernardia globifolia might be mistaken for the closely related Julbernardia paniculata. The latter species has 2-4 pairs of larger leaflets (2-6 x 6-13 cm), and is found at higher altitudes. A useful characteristic for distinguishing Zambia’s two Julbernardia species from the Brachystegias is the fringe of white hairs on the margin of Julbernardia leaflets.

Range and habitat

Julbernardia globiflora occurs throughout the Zambezian region. In the valley, it is locally dominant, and is particularly characteristic of rocky slopes, gravelly hillsides, and thin granite or quartzite soils. On the plateau it is associated with poor, residual soils.