| DESCRIPTION: It is an upright evergreen tree 10-15 m high, with a narrow, irregular crown and long taproot. Bark light brown with fine vertical fissures. Leaves compound, often in bunches, thin and wavy, each leaflet up to 10 cm, wider at the tip, often with round outgrowths at the base. Flower buds yellow-green and furry, splitting down 1 side as flower emerges. Flowers bright yellow, in showy terminal clusters, each trumpet shaped, to 6 cm long, with 5 frilly lobes, the throat striped with orange-red. USE: The flowers provide good bee forage. The wood, which is fairly resistant to termites, is used for furniture, poles, posts, tool handles and boat building and also as firewood and charcoal. Leaves are known to have medicinal value. The tree is useful for erosion control, shade and shelter. It provides mulch, which enhances soil-moisture retention and increases organic matter. Attractive and worth planting as a screen or background tree for gardens and on golf courses.GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: markhamia. FURTHER INF: It is common in the lake basins and highland areas of eastern Africa. The tree is drought resistant but cannot withstand waterlogging. |
