- Pterocarpus angolensis
Taxobox
name = "Pterocarpus angolensis"
status =
status_system =
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Fabales
familia =Fabaceae
subfamilia =Faboideae
tribus =Dalbergieae
genus = "Pterocarpus "
species = "P. angolensis"
binomial = "Pterocarpus angolensis"
binomial_authority = DC."Pterocarpus angolensis" (Kiaat Tree; also known as "Mukwa") is a species of "
Pterocarpus " native to southernAfrica , inAngola ,Mozambique ,Namibia ,South Africa ,Swaziland ,Tanzania ,Zaire , andZambia .International Legume Database & Information Service: [http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb?version~10.01&LegumeWeb&tno~1161&genus~Pterocarpus&species~angolensis "Pterocarpus angolensis"] ] The name Kiaat isAfrikaans and is sometimes used outsideSouth Africa as well.It is a
deciduous tree usually growing to 16 m tall, with dark brownbark and a high, wide-crowned canopy. of shiny compound leaves. In favoured wetter locations the trees are typically about 18-19 m tall. The leaves appear at the time of the flowers or shortly afterwards. They are alternate, deep green,imparipinnate , with 11-19 subopposite to alternate leaflets, the leaflets 2.5–7 cm long and 2–4.5 cm broad. It produces an abundance of scented, orange-yellow flowers inpanicle s 10–20 cm long; flowering is in the spring. In southern Africa, this is usually just at the end of the dry season, often about mid-October. The pod is 2–3 cm diameter, surrounded by a circular wing 8–12 cm diameter, reminiscent of a brownfried egg , and containing a singleseed . This brown papery and spiky seed pod stays on long after the leaves have fallen. In poorly-drained locations, the tree can still grow but it becomes more open in shape with leaves on the end of long branches - a 'stag-headed' appearance. Coates Palgrave, K. (1983). "Trees of Southern Africa". Struik Publishers.] Danida Seed Leaflet: [http://www.sl.kvl.dk/upload/pterocarpus_angolensis_int.pdf "Pterocarpus angolensis" (pdf file)] ]Ecology
Kiaat grows in southern and eastern Africa over a wide range of localities where there is a dry season contrasting with a wet season. It grows best where it is warm and free of frost. The
soil type must be deep sandy soil or well drained rocky slopes where the rainfall is above 500 mm per year. It grows well in areas of open woodland such as the Mashonaland plateau in Zimbabwe and northern Kwazulu-Natal region of South Africa, where it assumes a broad crown with heavy branches. The best specimens grow in the seasonal closed woodland of central Mozambique and parts of Malawi, where they sometimes form pure stands.The kiaat is fed upon by many animals that include the
charaxes butterfly in larval state,squirrel s,baboon s andmonkey s that feed on the seed pods, which have a diameter of about 12cm. Theelephant has been known to destroy the kiaat by pushing it over.Uses
There are several uses for the wood of the kiaat. Since the brown
heartwood is resistant toborer andtermite , it is durable. The wood polishes well and is well-known in tropical Africa as Mukwa when used to make good quality furniture that has an attractive light brownish-yellow colour. It can also be used for curios, and implements. Since the wood does not swell or shrink much it is great for canoe building. Furniture and curios are often made from the reddishsapwood . The colour of the sapwood is a result of the remarkable, dark red sap of the plant; an alternative name of Bloodwood rises from this. This wood also produces a rich, resonant sound and can be made into many different musical instruments.It is valued for several medicinal uses. It has been recorded to treat ringworm, eye problems,
blackwater fever , stabbing pains, malaria, and to increase the supply ofbreast milk . The resemblance of the sap to blood has led to the belief in supposed magical healing powers concerning the blood. Because of all these reasons and that it is also fire resistant the kiaat is sometimes planted around the chief's enclosure to make a living fence.References
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