Tree of the Week: September 24th, 2024
Continuing with our trees of Africa, ArborNote’s Tree of the Week is the Butterfly Tree (Colophospermum mopane). It grows in hot, dry, low-lying areas in the northern part of South Africa and is the only species in genus Colophospermum. Its distinctive butterfly-shaped leaves and thin seed pod make it easy to identify. The leaves are mirror images of each other, which is where the common name “Butterfly” comes from, as they look like butterfly wings. Mopane wood is one of southern Africa’s heaviest and is difficult to work because of its hardness. However, this also makes it termite resistant. For this reason it has long been used for building houses and fences and is a popular choice for flooring in South Africa. It is also home to the Mopane Worm, which is a large edible caterpillar that feeds primarily on Mopane trees. They are an important source of protein for many in the region, from animals to humans!
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