Mundulea sericea

 ( Trees Of Africa ) 

Mundulea sericea, the cork bush, is an attractive shrub or small tree which is found in relatively open woodlands of Africa and South Asia. It is the only member of the genus with a range extending beyond Madagascar, and it resembles some African shrubs in the related genus Tephrosia.

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Range The species occurs commonly in Madagascar, southern Africa to Central Africa Africa, India and Sri Lanka. At its southern limit it is found in northern KwaZulu-Natal and northwards of the Vaal River, South Africa.Algemene gids tot BOME. Keith, Paul & Meg Coates Palgrave. 2000. ISBN 1-86872-527-8 It has a preference for rocky slopes but is also found in savanna.

Two subspecies are recognized.

• Mundulea sericea subsp. madagascariensis (syn. Mundulea striata) – endemic to Madagascar
• Mundulea sericea subsp. sericea – mainland tropical Africa, India, and Sri Lanka

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Description The compound, alternate leaves are covered in silky hairs. The papilionaceous flowers are mauve to purple in colour. The seed pods are up to 8 cm long, and are covered in golden brown, velvety hairs. These hairs turn grey with time, and the pods may remain on the tree up to the next flowering season, or longer. The bark of the stem and main branches is deeply grooved and corky, and contains the poison rotenone. The leaves are however browsed by animals.

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Gallery

Mundulea sericea subsp. sericea 1613.jpg| Mundulea sericea subsp. sericea 1DS-II 4-3296.jpg| Mundulea sericea subsp. sericea 2828.jpg|

Categories: Trees Of Africa, Millettieae

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