Caesalpineaceae Flamboyant family
SA Tree no 202
The Weeping Boerbean (Schotia brachypetala) is a medium-sized tree, typically growing on collapsed termite mounds or on the fringe of drainage lines and rivers. It is evergreen for most of the year, although it may shed leaves briefly towards the end of winter.
The flowers usually appear prior to the first rains of the season (August or September) and attract hordes of sunbirds, weavers, parrots and other birds, as well as monkeys, which lap up the sweet nectar. The nectar is so copious that it literally drips from the tree, which gives it is common name.
The seeds are encased in a woody pod which eventually splits along its seams, and may remain on the tree long after the seeds have been dispersed. Each seed is attached to the pod by a waxy yet nutritious aril - yellow in colour - which is used as bait to encourage Brown-headed Parrots and Grey Louries to distribute them. The seeds themselves are edible after roasting and are thought to have been exploited as a food source by early settlers and travellers.
The dry savannahs of the Lowveld and parts of KwaZulu Natal is the preferred habitat of this tree. It is usually found on the banks of bigger rivers and spruits, and on termitaria away from rivers. In Kruger this tree is more common south of the Sabie River. Occurs in open, deciduous woodland and in drier types of woodland and scrub forest.
It has a single, straight trunk that branches near the ground, to form a round, very dense canopy. This is a medium to large tree, 15 - 25 m. ( up to 16 m??) Branchlets and twigs tend to curve downwards on the canopy edge, and are heavily browsed in the Kruger. Unlike other common, riverine species, this tree has no terminal leaflet. Conspicuous, dark crimson flowers make identification easy during September and October. Broad, brown, bean-like pods burst open on the tree from March to September. The bark of younger trees is smooth and light brown and, as the tree matures the bark becomes darker and rougher, breaking up into nondescript blocks.
Links with animals - Mature leaves are eaten by baboon, while young leaves are eaten by kudu, giraffe and impala, and black rhino eat both leaves and bark. The nectar is very sweet, and drunk by baboon, monkey, birds and insects.
Human uses - The seeds are edible when roasted and extracts of the bark are used for treating heartburn and hangovers. The wood is hard, heavy and very dark in colour, is used to make handsome furniture.
Gardening - This decorative tree will grow in most gardens. It is drought resistant once established, but susceptible to severe frost. It can be grown from seed and is fast-growing when planted in fertile soils, and watered well.
Cultivation:
This is a highly attractive garden subject in the warmer eastern parts of South Africa (it is frost sensitive, but can survive in north-facing Johannesburg properties). The wood is good for fine furniture or carving. A decoction of the bark is said to be able to alleviate a hangover.
Leaves - Compound, with a pair of leaves at the tip and with 4 to 6, sometimes 7 leaflets opposite or sub-opposite. Broadly elliptic; margin entire, smooth and wavy. The mid vein of each leaf tends to be off centre at the base. Apex rounded or abruptly finely pointed; base rounded, asymmetric. The leaves fall just before spring and are quickly replaced by new leaves. (Leaf: 180 mm; leaflet: 63 x 40 mm)
Flowers - Conspicuous sprays of red flowers with prominent stamens joined at the base; produced in dense branched heads or panicles, and borne on older branches during September and October. Copious nectar is produced. ( spray 60 - 130 mm)
Pods - Big, brown, broad, bean-like, slightly curved pods, which burst open on the tree from March to July, and may hang for many months before dropping. Seeds are ovoid, flattened, pale brown with a large, conspicuous yellow aril, and about 20 mm in diameter. They are visible on the tree from March to September.
(160 x 40 mm)
Best places to see the Weeping Boer-Bean in Southern Africa:
The Weeping Boer-Bean is found in the Kruger National Park in the Mixed Bushwillow Woodlands, Pretoriuskop Sourveld, Malelane Mountain Bushveld, Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets, Riverine Communities & Olifants Rugged Veld ecozones.
 Tree species of Southern Africa >> Printable Tree List <<
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The Plant Kingdom (Plantae)
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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