The Mpingo Conservation Project

Brachystegia

Brachystegia is one of the characterizing genera of miombo woodland. There are many species and it is difficult to separate them. There is thought to be some hybridization between the species and many show considerable variation in leaflet size, shape and number. Even experts find it difficult to identify them all.

Brachystegia boehmii

The local name for this tree is miombo or mjombo. This tree closely resembles B. longifolia but the leaflets are densely hairy on the underside and the bark is rougher. This leaves have 13-24 pairs of leaflets; 13 pairs is the maximum in B. longifolia. The timber not very durable. Local people make less use of this tree than they do B. longifolia.

Brachystegia longifolia

The local name of this tree is also miombo, which also means woodland and is the name given by scientists to a type of dry woodland.

The tree is typically found in more open areas of shorter woodland, although it can grow into a medium-sized tree. The crown is usually flat, which together with the elongated leaflets make this species quite easy to recognize. It produces clusters of pale coloured flowers before the onset of the rains. The new leaves droop downwards and are red coloured before maturing to deep green.

The timber of this tree is not used in Kilwa District. It is a good ‘bee tree’ that produces copious amounts of nectar. Ironically it is ring-barked to make traditional bee hives.

Brachystegia spiciformis

The Swahili name of this tree is mtondo and in English it is sometimes called the bean-pod tree.

This is one of the most common components of miombo woodland, and often dominates tall miombo woodland. It is a handsome large tree, with a dark green rounded canopy and rough bark, but it does not have any unique characteristics. The leaves have 2-5 pairs of quite large, glossy leaflets, which are rust coloured when they first emerge, and can be confused with Afzelia quanzensis and Julbernardia globiflora. However, in B. spiciformis the terminal leaflet is the largest so the leaves flutter in the breeze. The tree bears small fragrant greenish-white flowers followed by flat, oblong and beaked.

In areas where timber is scarce this tree is used to make furniture, but the timber is not very durable. It is also used for charcoal and as medicine. The inner bark from young trees is often used as rope.