Pterocarpus angolensis

Pterocarpus angolensis is a medium to large tree with a spreading crown reaching heights to 16 m, occasionally 20 m (SA Tree List No. 236).

The erect, sturdy trunk is covered in dark grey bark with a rough texture. Scattered, pale patches of underbark can be seen along the surface where fissuring and flaking have occurred and reticulated pieces have peeled off.

In South Africa the tree is only found in the far north-east, in parts of the provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. In tropical Africa it is found widespread.

Transvaal teak grows in sandy soil on rocky slopes of woodland and bushveld where the climate is warm and the rainfall over 500 mm per annum. The species is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

This tall specimen with rounded crown was photographed in July on a granite slope near the Sabie River. Being deciduous, its midwinter garb is leaf discard, only scattered pods remaining, barely visible among the upper branches (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Van Wyk and Van Wyk, 1997; http://redlist.sanbi.org).