mopane

File:Colophospermum mopane feuilles MHNT.jpg

It is native to Southern Africa, including Southern Angola, Zambia, Southern Malawi, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and northern South Africa. It grows in alkaline (high lime content) soils which are shallow and not well drained. It also grows in alluvial soils (soil deposited by rivers). Where it occurs, it is often the dominant tree species, frequently forming homogeneous stands. In Northern South Africa and larger adjacent areas of Botswana and Zimbabwe, with the trees' height varying between {{convert|4|and|18|m|ft|abbr=on}}, they are often called "mopane scrub" (shrub). However, they can also sometimes grow taller in these areas, forming woodland. Further north the trees are taller and form tall woodlands referred to as cathedral mopane. This tree does not grow well outside hot, frost-free areas with summer rainfall.

There are two ecoregions where mopane is the predominant vegetation. The Angolan mopane woodlands are in southwestern Angola and northern Namibia, and the Zambezian and mopane woodlands extend over the lowlands of the Zambezi River and its tributaries in Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and South Africa.

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Mopane wood is one of southern Africa's heaviest, with a density of {{val|1.075|u=g/cm3}} when completely dry, and is difficult to work because of its hardness.[http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/mopane/ The Wood Database] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715173223/http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/mopane/ |date=15 July 2016 }} Mopane. Retrieved 24 June 2013. However, this also makes it termite resistant. For this reason it has long been used for building houses and fences, as railway sleepers and as pit props. The termite-resistance and rich, reddish colouring also make it popular for flooring. Outside Africa, mopane is gaining popularity as a heavy, decorative wood, its uses including aquarium ornaments, bases for lamps or sculptures, and garden accents.

It is also increasingly being used in the construction of musical instruments, particularly woodwind. Suitable quality African blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon), traditionally used for clarinets, is becoming harder to find. Mopane is fairly oily, seasons very well with few splits or shakes, and produces instruments of a warm, rich tone.[http://www.prosono.co.za/en/woods-for-woodwinds.shtml Prosono International] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122003424/http://www.prosono.co.za/en/woods-for-woodwinds.shtml |date=22 November 2009 }} Woods for woodwinds. Retrieved 23 April 2010. Clarinets made of mopane are offered by the manufacturers Schwenk & Seggelke, Wurlitzer, F. Arthur Uebel and Buffet Crampon.

Mopane twigs have been traditionally used as tooth brushes, the bark to make twine and for tanning leather, and the leaves for healing wounds. The wood is also used to make charcoal and for braai wood.

The tree is a major food source for the mopane worm, the caterpillar of the moth Gonimbrasia belina. The caterpillars are rich in protein and are eaten by people. The mopane worm is rich in crude fats and contains vitamins and minerals, such as iron, calcium and phosphorus.{{Cite book|last=Potgieter|first=Martin|title=Edible insects in Africa: An introduction to finding, using and eating insects|publisher=Agromisa Foundation and CT|year=2015|isbn=978-90-8573-146-7|location=Wageningen|pages=34}} The tree also acts as a foodplant for the wild silk moth, Gonometa rufobrunnea. Cocoons of the moth are harvested as wild silk, to make cloth.

The Mopane worm creates employment and serves as a source of income for the majority of rural women. Harvesters sell it in villages, towns or to the trader{{Cite book|last=Potgieter|first=Martin|title=Edible insects in Africa An introduction to finding, using and eating insects|publisher=Agromisa Foundation and CTA|year=2015|isbn=978-90-8573-146-7|location=Wageningen|pages=34}}

The mopane tree also serves as a host plant for the mopane psyllid Retroacizzia mopani.Oppong, C.K., Addo-Bediako, A., Potgieter, M.J. & Wessels, D.C.J. 2009. Distribution of the eggs of the mopane psyllid Retroacizzia mopani (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) on the mopane tree. African Invertebrates 50 (1): 185–190. [http://www.africaninvertebrates.org.za/Oppong_etal_2009_50_1_430.aspx]Oppong, C.K., Addo-Bediako, A., Potgieter, M.J. & Wessels, D.C.J. 2010. Nymphal behaviour and lerp construction in the mopane psyllid Retroacizzia mopani (Hemiptera: Psyllidae). African Invertebrates 51 (1): 201–205.{{cite web |url=http://www.africaninvertebrates.org.za/Oppong_etal_2010_51_1_467.aspx |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624011858/http://www.africaninvertebrates.org.za/Oppong_etal_2010_51_1_467.aspx |archive-date=24 June 2010 }}

Colophospermum is Latinised Greek for "oily seed", in reference to the resinous seed (i.e. spermum) which has a turpentine smell. Colophon was the birthplace of Homer in Ionia, and was famous for its rosin, a substance obtained from turpentine or the gummy exudate of some trees.A reference to the species' resinous seed: 'Origins and Meanings of Names of South African Plant Genera' – W.P.U. Jackson (1990) The species name mopane is taken from the local name for the tree.

File:Colophospermum mopane 2122.jpg|Inflorescences produced during mid-summer

File:Colophospermum mopane 2120.jpg|The wind-pollinated flower

File:Colophospermum mopane MHNT.BOT.2015.2.6.jpg|Dry foliage, seed pods and two seeds (bottom right) - MHNT

File:Colophospermum mopane - Seeds.jpg|The fruit are pods containing one seed each

File:Colophospermum mopane 50D 0484.jpg|Mopane worms, locally a staple food, consuming the foliage

File:Speckled Emperor (Gynanisa maja) caterpillar on mopane twig ... (51867253398).jpg|The likewise edible chipumi caterpillar of the speckled emperor moth, defoliating a sprig

File:Mopane_seed_and_leaves.JPG|Winter foliage and dry seed pods in Namibia

• List of Southern African indigenous trees

• {{Commons category-inline|Colophospermum mopane}}

{{Reflist}}

• Esterhuyse, N., Von Breitenbach, J. & Söhnge, H. 2001. Remarkable trees of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria.
• [http://www.itc.nl/library/Papers_2005/phd/ferwerda.pdf Ferwerda, J.G.] (2005) Charting the quality of forage: measuring and mapping the variation of chemical components in foliage with hyperspectral remote sensing. Wageningen, Wageningen University, 2005. ITC Dissertation 126, 166 p. {{ISBN|90-8504-209-7}}.

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Category:Flora of South Tropical Africa

Category:Flora of Southern Africa

Category:Trees of South Africa

Category:Trees of Angola

Category:Drought-tolerant trees

Category:Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests

Category:Detarioideae

Category:Monotypic Fabaceae genera

Category:Plants described in 1865