Caesalpineaceae - Flamboyant family
SA Tree no 215
This tree is a small to medium sized tree of 5 - 10 m in height, and grows most successfully in medium to low altitudes in wooded grassland and on well-drained and sandy soils. Although several trees often grow in fairly close proximity to one another, they seldom grow in large groups.
In summer, abundant, pea-like, yellow flowers among the large, feathery leaves are characteristic. The tree has striking, dull green, large Acacia-like, soft feathery leaves. It branches near to the ground, from a stem that is often crooked, to form a spreading, irregular and untidy canopy. It does not have thorns. The mature leaves, at the tips of the branches, are often yellowish in colour. The bark of older trees is dark grey-brown with shallow grooves.
Links with animals - In summer the tree is often infested with the spittle bug, Ptyelus grossus.The secretions from the bugs drip down, causing it to 'rain' under the tree. It is not browsed regularly, but young shoots may be eaten by elephant, giraffe, kudu and black rhino.
Human uses - The wood is used to make furniture, axe handles, buckets and ornaments; it is also used as fuel.
Gardening - This decorative tree will grow in most gardens, is draught resistant once established, but sensitive to frost. It can be grown from seed and is fast growing when planted in fertile soils and watered well. It is a good shade tree, and beautiful in flower.
Leaves - twice compound, 2-pinnate, with 4-7 pinnae, each bearing 10 to 12 pairs of feathery leaflets. The Acacia-like feathery leaves are silver-grey, and have no thorns. Mature leaves at the tips of branches are often yellowish. The leaves are covered by fine, velvety hairs. (Up to 9 pairs of leaves: 180 x 90 mm; up to 20 pairs of leaflets: 7 x 2 mm)
Flowers - The flowers have bright yellow, crinkled petals, all floral parts in fives; flower stalks and the backs of the sepals covered with brown velvety hairs, and are borne in upright sprays on ends of branches from November to February.
(Individual: 30 mm; bunch 150 mm)
Fruit/Pods - Flat pods, elliptic, tapering to apex and base; very thinly woody, almost leathery, greyish-brown or yellow-tan and ripening to a dark brown to black, broad bean-like pods that are borne in very obvious bunches that ripen from February. Pods can be seen on the tree for most of the year.
(100 x 20 mm)
Best places to see the Weeping Wattle in Southern Africa:
The Weeping Wattle is found in the Kruger National Park in the Mixed Bushwillow Woodlands, Pretoriuskop Sourveld, Malelane Mountain Bushveld, Sabie Crocodile Thorn Thickets, Thorn Veld, Knob Thorn / Marula Savannah, Lebombo Mountain Bushveld, Olifants Rugged Veld, Stunted Knob Thorn Savannah, Mopane Scrubveld & Mopane / Bushwillow Woodlands ecozones.
 Tree species of Southern Africa >> Printable Tree List <<
South African Trees >> Printable Tree List <<
The Plant Kingdom (Plantae)
Wildlife - Fauna & Flora of Southern Africa
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