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Securidaca longipedunculata

Violet tree
Securidaca longipedunculata00.jpg
Securidaca longipedunculata MS 1933.JPG
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Polygalaceae
Genus: Securidaca
Species: S. longipedunculata
Binomial name
Securidaca longipedunculata
Fresen.

Securidaca longipedunculata (violet tree, Afrikaans: krinkhout, Bambara: satene, Tswana: mmaba, Venda: mpesu) is a species of tree in the Securidaca genus. It is most commonly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, and it was given protected status in South Africa. The generic name is derived from Latin securis, as the shape of the wing on the nut recalls a hatchet. The specific name longipedunculata hints at the long peduncle on which the flowers are borne.

It is a fairly small to medium-sized tree, measuring between 6 and 12 meters tall. It has pale grey, smooth bark with leaves that grow in clusters. Its small branches are covered in very fine hair. The tree produces flowers in the early part of the austral summer, and these progress from a pink to purple colour. They are sweetly scented and grow in small bunches on a peduncle. The fruit is round and is attached to a wing that becomes up to 40 mm long. The tree carries fruit between April and August.

It is found in various types of woodlands and in arid savannas, and its habit varies according to climate and altitude. It may be found on either sandy, acidic or rocky soils. It is native to the North West and Limpopo provinces of South Africa, and is locally present northwards in the African subtropics and tropics. In tropical savanna, it is especially found in miombo and caesalpinoid woodland.

The species suffers from over-harvesting for use in local medicines. Periodic droughts and bush fires are also a hazard for the propagation of this tree. It is listed on the National Forests Act of 1998 of South Africa, where it is noted as a protected tree. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, has also included the species in their “Adopt a seed - save a species” campaign. The campaign enables the public to purchase a Violet tree in order to protect the species and assist local communities in Mali. The initiative forms part of the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership.


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Wikipedia

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