Xanthocercis zambesiaca

Nyala tree
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Xanthocercis
Species:	X. zambesiaca
Binomial name
Xanthocercis zambesiaca (Baker) Dumaz-le-Grand
Synonyms
Pseudocadia zambesiaca (Baker) Harms Sophora zambesiaca Baker

Xanthocercis zambesiaca, the nyala tree or mshatu, is a species of legume in the family Fabaceae which is native to the southern subtropics of Africa. It occurs in seasonally hot, low-lying river valleys of Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.^[2]

Nyala trees grow on alluvium or termite mounds where they have access to plentiful moisture and deep, fertile soil. They occur sparsely in the eastern lowveld of Southern Africa, but are more prolific in the Limpopo valley and along the Tuli Block's Shashe River, where they are known as mshatu trees. The foliage and fruit, which ripen in autumn and winter, provide food for various vertebrates.

The Nyala tree is a phreatophyte – it indicates the presence of ground water. The wood of a nyala tree can be worked, finishing with a smooth appearance, but irritates the nose and throat in the process.^[3]

• 
  imparipinnate leaves
• 
  open flowers, standard petals nearest
• 
  infructescences with green fruit
• 
  the fruit are drupaceous, not pods

1. ^ Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).; IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group (2019). "Xanthocercis zambesiaca". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019 e.T146210831A146210833. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T146210831A146210833.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
2. ^ "Xanthocercis zambesiaca". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
3. ^ Emmett, Megan; Pattrick, Sean (2012). Game Ranger in Your Backpack: All-in-one Interpretative Guide to the Lowveld. Briza. ISBN 978-1-920217-06-8.

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