Peltophorum africanum

A medium, semi-deciduous tree that originates from Africa, particularly the southern part of the continent. The tree grows at a medium rate to a maximum height of up to 10 m, and it has a round and spreading canopy that provides a significant amount of shade. The leaves are slightly grayish-green and are bipinnate and a bit hairy. When the leaves mature, before they fall, their tips turn yellow. The mature tree’s bark is textured and brown-grayish in color. The tree bears extremely impressive yellow flowers in summer that appear in dense, upright clusters. The petals of the yellow flowers are wrinkled. This flowering is especially noticeable in the hot summer months, and the flowers are a very important bee pasture in this dry season. After the magnificent flowering, the tree produces flat one-seeded pods (in opposition to the two-seeded ones of Peltophorum dubium) that remain on the tree for a long time. The tree is suitable for most types of soil in the country, except for those that are saline or chalky, and will thrive especially in well-drained soil. When young, the tree is very sensitive to frost and requires medium watering until it is established. Once mature, it is very resistant. The tree is particularly suitable as a street tree due to its beauty when flowering and in general, and it does not interfere with paved areas because its roots are not invasive. The tree is also suitable for gardens. The tree must be expertly shaped to keep the top of the canopy tall and maintain a single trunk. When there are few leaves on the tree, it looks sculptural and impressive.

In Africa, the different parts of the tree are used for folk medicine, and, indeed, various studies have found that it has active medicinal components. Recently the demand for the tree has increased because Peltophorum dubium is too large and less suitable for urban spaces.

In the same family: Peltophorum dubium