Dichrostachys cinerea

Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn. subsp. africana Brenan & Brummitt

Common names

Chinese lantern bush, sickle bush (English); katenge, mupangala (Bemba); lumpangala, mumpangala (Bemba, Kunda, Nyanja, Tumbuka); lusolo (Kunda, Nyanja, Tumbuka).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A semi deciduous multi-stemmed shrub although it sometimes grows as a small tree, Dichrostachys cinerea is most easily recognised by its yellow and pink flowers. Bark brown, fissured. Spur branches modified to form spines, often with leaves on them. Leaves compound, with 7-19 pairs of pinnae, each no more than 4 cm long. Leaflets very small, 3-5 x 0.8-1.75 mm. Flowers Yellow and pink/mauve spikes, 2.5 cm long, on solitary or fascicled flower stalks 1-9 cm long (Aug-Nov). Fruit flattened pods, 2-10 x 0.5-2.6 cm, produced in contorted clusters (March-September).

Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. nyassana occurs at higher altitudes in the Muchinga escarpment. It has larger leaves with each pinna 4-8 cm long and leaflets wider than 2 mm.

When in fruit, Dichrostachys cinerea may be mistaken for Acacia tortilis. However, A. tortilis has both hooked and straight thorns.

Range and habitat

Dichrostachys cinerea subsp. africana is widespread throughout tropical Africa although absent from rainforest areas. In the valley it is found in valley riverine fringe woodland and thicket and in Mopane woodland on sand.