Colophospermum mopane, commonly called mopane,
Though hard and dense and difficult to work with, it is valued timber in all sorts of construction due to its termite tolerance.
Range and habitat
The mopane is found on low-lying ground from (Mozambique) to (Zimbabwe).
Mopane ecoregions
Native to Southern Africa, its habitat is divided crudely into two regions: the "Angola region", i.e., Angolan mopane woodlands ecoregion, which includes Southern Angola and northwestern Namibia, and the "Zambezian region", i.e. the Zambezian and mopane woodlands ecoregion extending over the lowlands of the Zambezi River and its tributaries across the countries of Zambia, Southern Malawi, other parts of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini/Swaziland and northern South Africa.
Soil and morphology
While it prefers slightly acidic deep clay soil that are and , it also grows in alkali soil (high lime content) soils which are shallow and not well drained. It also grows in (soil deposited by rivers). Where it occurs, it is often the dominant tree species, frequently forming homogeneous stands.
Within the Zambezian region described above, the trees' height varying considerably, and larger, single-stemmed trees of are found in open savannah woodlands on the (sandy) alluvial soil, forming canopy woodlands, and even reaching 18m in height for the so-called "cathedral mopane" of Zambia.
This tree will not grow well outside hot, mostly frost-free areas with low to moderate rainfall (as low as 100mm per year,
Uses
Mopane wood is one of southern Africa's heaviest, with an average density range of at 12% moisture. and is difficult to work because of its hardness.[Meier, Eric (2016) The Wood Database Mopane. Retrieved 24 June 2013.] However it is also termite resistant making it one of the most preferred local timbers for construction, and for this reason it has long been used for building houses and fences, as railway sleepers and as mining.
It is also increasingly being used in the construction of musical instruments, particularly woodwind. Suitable quality African blackwood ( Dalbergia melanoxylon), traditionally used for , is becoming harder to find. Mopane is fairly oily, seasons very well with few splits or shakes, and produces instruments of a warm, rich tone.
Mopane twigs been traditionally used as a sort of tooth brush (chewing stick to clean teeth[: Table 2. Traditional uses of Colophospermum mopane in Southern Africa]
The bark to make twine or rope and for tanning leather, The wood is also used to make charcoal and for braai wood.
Food source
The tree is a major food source for the mopane worm, the caterpillar of the moth Gonimbrasia belina. The caterpillars are rich in protein and are eaten by people. The mopane worm is rich in crude fats and contains vitamins and minerals, such as iron, calcium and phosphorus.
And when infested with the "mopane fly"
The tree also acts as a foodplant for the wild silk moth, Gonometa. Cocoons of the moth are harvested as wild silk, to make cloth.
The Mopane worm creates employment and serves as a source of income for the majority of rural women. Harvesters sell it in villages, towns or to the trader.
The tree is also considered an important food resource for animal husbandry (goat herding), as goats can be allowed to browse on the tree's leaves (cf. fig. above).
Etymology
The genus name Colophospermum is a compound from Greek "resin" + Latin spermum "seed". The former derives from Colophon", which was the birthplace of Homer in Ionia, famous for its rosin, and is a reference to the seed's aromaticity (turpentine-smelling) component.
The species name mopane is from its common name in for the tree throughout most of its range.[: Table 1. Vernacular names of Colophospermum mopame]
Also spelt mupani, mopani.
Gallery
File:Colophospermum mopane 2122.jpg|Inflorescences produced during mid-summer
File:Colophospermum mopane 2120.jpg|The wind-pollinated flower
File:Colophospermum mopane MHNT.BOT.2015.2.6.jpg|Dry foliage, seed pods and two seeds (bottom right) - MHNT
File:Colophospermum mopane - Seeds.jpg|The fruit are pods containing one seed each
File:Colophospermum mopane 50D 0484.jpg|Mopane worms, locally a staple food, consuming the foliage
File:Speckled Emperor (Gynanisa maja) caterpillar on mopane twig ... (51867253398).jpg|The likewise edible chipumi caterpillar of the Gynanisa maja, defoliating a sprig
File:Mopane_seed_and_leaves.JPG|Winter foliage and dry seed pods in Namibia
See also
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List of Southern African indigenous trees
Explanatory notes
Bibliography
