Pterocarpus angolensis pods

The distinctive, indehiscent kiaat or Transvaal teak fruit pod has a disc-like wing that is sturdy, sometimes wavy and up to 3 cm wide.

The central area of the pod, like a brush on a potato chip is covered in erect bristles on both sides, protecting the seed. When the pods are present on the tree, especially when the leaves are gone, they do much for tree identification.

It is the flowers bearing resemblance to those of the pea plant and not the pods that reminds the Pterocarpus genus forms part of the Fabaceae family. Plants are of course no longer classified on appearance but on genetic features indicating common ancestry (www.plantzafrica.com).