Keetia zanzibarica

Keetia zanzibarica (Klotzsch) Bridson subsp. cornelioides (De Wild.) Bridson (Canthium zanzibaricumKlotzsch)

Common names

Canthium (English); mubaba (Bemba/Bisa); zavuma (Nyanja).

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A shrub with mid to dark green leaves, greyish brown smooth bark; many flowered cymes August to January, fruits from February to May.

Could be confused with Keetia venosa or Keetia guienzii but these occur at higher altitudes on the Muchinga escarpment.

Range and habitat

Levees and sand deposits of major rivers. This attractive bush grows in dense clumps on alluvial soils but is sporadically distributed in the Valley. It is found on the Lufila River in the NLNP and on the Luangwa River in both the Luambe and South Luangwa Parks although in the latter it does not seem to occur downstream of Ntangi Lagoon (Big Lagoon). However, elsewhere in the South Park, it forms big thickets on rivers at the base of the Muchinga escarpment notably along the Lusiwashi, Kalungwishi and Mutinsase rivers.