Fabaceae - Pea family
SA Tree no 236
The Wild Teak (Kiaat) prefers areas of more than 500 mm rainfall per annum, and well-drained soils. This is a large striking, single-trunked tree with a few large branches growing upwards and outwards, bearing the leaves very high up to form an umbrella-like canopy.
The tree has feathery, drooping foliage. The seeds are characteristic and conspicuous, especially when the leaves have dropped. The bark of the trunk and large branches is dark brown to black. When sections flake off there are lighter underbark patches. The tree grows to a height of 5 to 15 m, and has moderate density.
Links with animals - The leaves are eaten by elephant and kudu. Baboon eat the young pods, while the seeds are eaten by baboon, monkey and tree squirrel. Elephant often push the trees over.
Human uses - The wood is an excellent timber for making furniture and curios. The red gum and sap are used as a dye, and the sap is used to cure cuts and sores.
Gardening - It is extremely difficult to grow from seed, and responds better from cuttings taken in spring. It is a slow grower on most soil types and is not frost resistant.
Leaves - Compound, alternate with a single leaflet at the tip. There are about 16 opposite leaflets per leaf. Leaflets elliptic with a prominent twisted tip and a smooth margin. The leaves are shiny, dark green, pale on top and have fine hairs underneath. They are characteristically droopy or hanging down and turn yellow before dropping early in winter. (Leaf: 300 mm; leaflets: 4 - 6 x 30 - 45 mm)
Flowers - Orange-yellow, scented, pea-shaped flowers are produced in sprays on mature stems,. Flowering period is 2 - 3 weeks, from September to November.
(Spray: 100 -200 mm; flowerlet: 10 - 20 mm)
Pods - Distinctive pods have a central seed case covered by long. stiff bristles surrounded by a single, round, flat, papery plate. They are borne singly or in groups of long twigs. The seeds ripen in late summer (February to August) and remain on the tree long after the leaves have fallen. (100 mm)
Best places to see the Wild Teak (Kiaat) in Southern Africa:
The Wild Teak (Kiaat) is found in the Kruger National Park in the Pretoriuskop Sourveld & Malelane Mountain Bushveld ecozones.
 Tree species of Southern Africa >> Printable Tree List <<
South African Trees >> Printable Tree List <<
The Plant Kingdom (Plantae)
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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