Colophospermum mopane, commonly called mopane, mopani, butterfly tree, turpentine tree, or balsam tree, is a tree in the legume family (Fabaceae), that grows in hot, dry, low-lying areas, 200 to 1,200 metres (660 to 3,940 ft) in elevation, in parts of Southern Africa. The tree only occurs in Africa and is the only species in genus Colophospermum. Its distinctive butterfly-shaped (bifoliate) leaf and thin kidney-shaped/nearly semi-circular seed pod make it easy to identify.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Mopane being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Guibourtia conjugata
- Hardwickia binata
- Senegalia nigrescens
- Guibourtia coleosperma
- Piliostigma reticulatum
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
- Order
- Fabales
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Genus
- Colophospermum
- Species
- Colophospermum mopane
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