 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (October 2021) |
| Brachystegia spiciformis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Detarioideae |
| Tribe: | Amherstieae |
| Genus: | Brachystegia |
| Species: | B. spiciformis
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| Binomial name | |
| Brachystegia spiciformis | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Brachystegia spiciformis, commonly known as zebrawood,[2] or msasa,[3] is a medium-sized African tree having compound leaves and racemes of small fragrant green flowers. The tree is broad and has a distinctive amber and wine red colour when the young leaves sprout during spring (August–September). It grows in savanna, both open woodland and closed woodland of Southern and Eastern Africa, mostly Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique. The word msasa is commonly used as a proper name in African place names. The word also means 'rough plant' in Swahili. Other common names: mundu, myombo, mtondo (Tanzania), muputu (Zambia). The plant is known in the Venda language as mutsiwa, which means 'the one that is left behind'. An outlying population of Brachystegia has recently been discovered in the Soutpansberg mountains of northern South Africa. This tree is a protected species in South Africa.[4]
- ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Brachystegia spiciformis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Brachystegia spiciformis" (PDF). Retrieved 30 November 2014.
- ^ "Protected Trees" (PDF). Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Republic of South Africa. 3 May 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-07-05.