Schotia brachypetala aka Fuchsia Tree

Schotia brachypetala is a tree in the pea family, Fabaceae. Its common names include African walnut and weeping boerboon. It comes from southern tropical Africa and southern Africa. Its range includes Zimbabwe, Mozambique, eastern Botswana, Eswatini and South Africa. It grows in dry woodland, scrub and thickets. Trees also grow beside rivers and near termite mounds. These habitats extend from near sea level into upland areas.

The tree grows about 16–52 feet [5–16 metres] tall. Exceptional trees reach 72 feet [22 metres]. Its broad, rounded crown has many dense branches. The trunk can reach about 2 feet [0.6 metres] across. In warm, frost-free sites, it keeps its leaves year-round. In cooler areas, it sheds them for a short time. Its leafy crown gives shade in gardens and parks. Showy flowers add to its value as an ornamental tree.

Birds pollinate the flowers and feed on their nectar. The blooms can release enough nectar to drip in spring. This makes the tree a poor choice above paved areas. It can also cause trouble over parked cars. The fruit forms flat, brown pods that hold seeds. Each seed has a fleshy, yellow aril. People sometimes chew the flowers for their nectar. They also eat the seeds after cooking them.

Full sun suits this tree best. Young trees do best in deep sand with well-rotted compost. Growth is slow in many sites, especially on heavier soils. Deep sandy soil can support much faster growth. One tree grown from a cutting reached 39 feet [12 metres] in 17 years. Established trees resist drought, but young trees need frost protection. A mature tree in shelter may withstand about 23°F [−5°C]. Seeds usually germinate well; an overnight warm-water soak may help. Cuttings are another means of raising new trees.

People roast green pods, cooking the seeds inside before eating them. Roasted seeds also serve as a coffee substitute. Traditional medicine uses the bark, roots and leaves. Bark supplies tanning material and a reddish-brown dye. The hard, heavy wood serves for furniture, floors and carving. It resists termites, though its overall durability is only moderate. Wood dust may trigger allergic reactions in the eyes.