Schotia brachypetala pods

The fruit pods of Schotia brachypetala are flattened and woody, usually 6 cm to 10 cm long. Ripe pods are dark brown, here still young, their woodiness not fully established.

There is a characteristic rim around the margin of the pod, a feature shared with other Schotia species. This rim may remain on the tree well after the pods have dehisced, an action which they usually don’t take in a hurry.

The seeds released are ovoid and somewhat flat, pale brown and 2 cm in diameter. A large, sticky yellow aril is attached to each seed and the rim, delaying the departure of the seed for some time (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997).