Cordyla africana Lour.

Selected images: Click on each image to see a larger version and details of the record View all images (15)

Cordyla africana

Drawing: Patricia Bingham

Cordyla africana

Drawing: Patricia Bingham

Cordyla africana

Drawing: Patricia Bingham

Cordyla africana

Chirundu; 1972.
Photo: Mike Bingham

Cordyla africana

Chirundu; 1972.
Photo: Mike Bingham

Cordyla africana

Chirundu; 1972.
Photo: Mike Bingham

Cordyla africana

Chirundu; 1972.
Photo: Mike Bingham

Specimen citations: Display citations Detailed records: Display species records QDS maps by: Google Maps Point records by Google Maps

Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:
Common names: Mtondo (Nyanja) Mutondo (Tonga: Zambia)
Frequency: Occasional
Status: Native
Description:
Large deciduous tree with a spreading crown. Leaves imparipinnate with 11-28 alternate leaflets; leaflets oblong, shiny green above, paler below with translucent dots and streaks; apex usually slightly notched; the main rhachis grooved along the top. Flowers in short axillary sprays, facing upwards, petals absent, a mass of orange-yellow stamens most conspicuous; ovary stalked. Fruit ovoid, not like a pod but resembling a fleshy drupe, yellow when ripe, edible.
Type location:
East African coast
Notes: Mature trees are susceptible to drought, sometimes becoming heavily infested with mistletoe. Flowering time Sep - Oct. Widespread; not threatened.
Derivation of specific name: africana: African
Habitat: Riverine fringing forest.
Altitude range: 0 - 1000 m
Flowering time:Jul - Oct
Worldwide distribution: Coastal districts from Kenya to North KwaZulu-Natal, extending inland in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and South Africa
Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca): N,C,E,S
Zambian distribution (Provinces): Mc,E,C,Lk,S
Growth form(s): Tree, shrub over 2 m.
Endemic status:
Red data list status: Lower Risk - least concern
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated: Friday 22 August 2014
Literature:

Brummitt, R.K., Harder, D.K., Lewis, G.P., Lock, J.M., Polhill, R.M. & Verdcourt, B. (2007). Leguminosae Subfamily Papilionoideae Flora Zambesiaca 3(3) Pages 27 - 28. (Includes a picture).

Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 288. (Includes a picture).

Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 16.

Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa

Drummond, R.B. (1972). A list of Rhodesian Legumes. Kirkia 8(2) Page 213.

Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 244.

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare

Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32

Smith, P.P. & Allen,Q. (1995). Common trees, shrubs and grasses of the Luangwa Valley. The Trendrine Press.

White, F. (1962). Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia Oxford Univ. Press.

Other sources of information about Cordyla africana:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: Cordyla africana
Flora of Mozambique: Cordyla africana
Flora of Zimbabwe: Cordyla africana

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Cordyla africana
African Plant Database: Cordyla africana
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Cordyla africana
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Cordyla africana
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Cordyla africana
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Cordyla africana
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Cordyla africana
JSTOR Plant Science: Cordyla africana
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Cordyla africana
Plants of the World Online: Cordyla africana
Tropicos: Cordyla africana
Wikipedia: Cordyla africana


Copyright: Mike Bingham, Annette Willemen, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Mark Hyde, 2011-24

Bingham, M.G., Willemen, A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. and Hyde, M.A. (2024). Flora of Zambia: Species information: Cordyla africana.
https://www.zambiaflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=127230, retrieved 19 March 2024

Site software last modified: 10 May 2018 10:51pm
Terms of use