Common names
Kampangwila, lunda, mubonga, muwonga, nakali (Bemba); kafutu (Kunda); kafumbafumba, mufutu (Nyanja).
General description and distinguishing characteristics
A semi-deciduous small tree with a flattened crown. Bark greyish black and deeply fissured with both vertical and longitudinal cracks. The leaves are digitate with up to seven leaflets, they have a leathery appearance and have soft yellowish hairs on the undersurface. The male and female flowers are borne on different trees; the female flowers are solitary while the male flowers are borne in clusters; both are red. Oldfieldia flowers from May to September; the yellowish green fruits are found from October to November.
Range and habitat
Julbernardia-Brachystegia lower escarpment and hill miombo woodland and scrub. Also occurs on riverine sand, and is widespread elsewhere away from the alluvial area.