The Mopane tree

Authors

  • Conrado González Ferreira UMA Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24310/enbio.17.189.2025.21566

Keywords:

mopane tree

Abstract

The mopane tree (Colophospermun mopane) is a species of the Fabaceae family typical of southern African ecosystems found mainly in Namibia, southern Zambia and Botswana. It is easily distinguished from other trees in the area thanks to its bi-lobed leaves that resemble giraffe hooves. Traditionally, the leaves of this plant are ground and used by some tribes such as the Himba ethnic group in Namibia to help heal wounds or as an infusion for women to recover from childbirth. In addition, its wood has endless uses, such as fuel for sacred rituals or the construction of houses thanks to its hardness and abundance in the area (Tonda, 2023). This photo was taken in the Mosi-oa-Tunya natural park in Zambia.

Conrado Gonzalez Ferreira ( undergraduate biology student, University of Malaga )

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References

Tonda, C. M. (2003). Aproximación a la etnobotánica him- ba:: usos tradicionales de las plantas del Kaokoland por un grupo ganadero del Sudoeste africano. Revista Contacto 2(3),1-10

Published

2025-03-31 — Updated on 2025-04-02

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How to Cite

González Ferreira, C. (2025). The Mopane tree. Encuentros En La Biología, 17(189). https://doi.org/10.24310/enbio.17.189.2025.21566 (Original work published March 31, 2025)

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