Peltophorum africanum

The Weeping wattle (Peltophorum africanum) is a semi-deciduous to deciduous flowering tree growing to about 15 meters tall. It is native to Africa south of the equator. Their yellow flowers bloom on the ends of branches in upright, showy sprays.[1]

Peltophorum africanum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Peltophorum
Species:
P. africanum
Binomial name
Peltophorum africanum

During spring time it may happen that water drips from the tree's branches, a phenomenon that is caused by the spittlebug Ptyelus grossus. The immature stages of these spittlebugs congregate on the young shoots and derive their nourishment by sucking the tree's sap. While doing so they secrete pure water, which is the cause of the "weeping" effect.

Common names

Other common names include Rhodesian blackwood, African blackwood, African wattle, African false wattle, Rhodesian wattle and Rhodesian black wattle.[2] It is called Huilboom (i.e. weeping tree) in Afrikaans, due to the effects of the spittlebug.

  • Flowers
  • Seed pods
  • Wood
  • Pods, seeds, immature pods
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References
  1. "PELTOPHORUM AFRICANUM Sond". SANBI. 2001. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  2. Ressources Végétales de L'Afrique Tropicale (PROTA) vol 11, part 1 "Plantes médicinales, p. 446, PROTA, 2008 ISBN 9057822067.


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