About Parkinsonia africana Sond.
Scientific Classification and Common Name
Parkinsonia africana, commonly called the green‑hair tree, is a flowering plant species in the Fabaceae family.
Native Range
It is native to southern Angola, Namibia, the Cape Provinces, and the Northern Provinces of South Africa; its presence in Botswana has not yet been formally recorded.
Growth Form and Size
It is a shrub that reaches 1 to 3 meters in height.
Bark Characteristics
It has green bark that can carry out photosynthesis after its leaves are shed.
Reproductive Structures
It produces yellow flowers and pods that range in color from yellow to brown.
Wood Uses
Its wood does not crack when heated, so it is used to craft smoking pipes.
Distribution in Southern Africa
It is widespread across Namibia and South Africa, where it is specifically found in the Northern Cape and North West provinces.
Habitat Preferences
It grows in desert or semi‑desert habitats, and is most often found on sandy plains close to waterways.
