Boerbean Trees

Boerbean Trees - Bounty of Nectar

Almost all flowering plants produce nectar as a reward to their pollinators, but one family of African trees does so in such abundance and profusion, that they might even be called decadent! The Boerbeans (correctly speaking: Schotias) are trees or shrubs which occur in warm to hot, open habitats. They produce masses of crimson, cup-shaped flowers in dense bunches along their branches, in order to attract sufficient pollinators to create their yearly crop of seeds.

The Schotia trees belong to the family Caesalpinioideae, which also includes Burkea, Brachystegia, Afzelia, Bauhinia and Cassia. All of these trees have compound leaves and produce woody pods.

The Weeping Boerbean - Schotia brachypetala

This is a medium-sized tree, typically growing on collapsed termite mounds or on the fringe of drainage lines and rivers. It is evergreen for most of the year, although it may shed leaves briefly towards the end of winter. The flowers usually appear prior to the first rains of the season (August or September) and attract hordes of sunbirds, weavers, parrots and other birds, as well as monkeys, which lap up the sweet nectar. The nectar is so copious that it literally drips from the tree, which gives it is common name.

The seeds are encased in a woody pod which eventually splits along its seams, and may remain on the tree long after the seeds have been dispersed. Each seed is attached to the pod by a waxy yet nutritious aril - yellow in colour - which is used as bait to encourage Brown-headed Parrots and Grey Louries to distribute them. The seeds themselves are edible after roasting and are thought to have been exploited as a food source by early settlers and travellers.
This is a highly attractive garden subject in the warmer eastern parts of South Africa (it is frost sensitive, but can survive in north-facing Johannesburg properties). The wood is good for fine furniture or carving. A decoction of the bark is said to be able to alleviate a hangover.

The Dwarf Boerbean - Schotia capitata

A small, slender shrub which typically grows alongside other plant species in dense thickets. The flowers are not as profuse as in its larger relative, but remain on the tree for much longer and so provide an extended nectar source for sunbirds and other birds.

The Karoo Boerbean - Schotia afra

A small, gnarled tree or shrub adapted to semi-arid conditions. When in flower - and this is variable and unpredictable - it puts on a dazzling show against the dusty tan or grey surroundings. Sunbirds, warblers and a host of insects arrive in great numbers to feed on the abundant nectar.

Where to see Schotias at andBEYOND properties

Magnificent specimens of the Weeping Boerbean can be seen at Ngala, Londolozi, Bongani and Phinda and a visit to any of these properties during late August or early September will be remembered for these bountiful trees. The Dwarf Boerbean is fairly common in the vicinity of Ngala Lodge, and in drainage lines at Londolozi, but scarce elsewhere. The Karoo Boerbean is abundant in thickets at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, where Dusky Sunbirds are among the most regular nectar customers. The Bush Boerbean (Schotia latifolia) is also present at Kwandwe.
Oddly, there are no Schotia species present in Botswana's Okavango Delta, even though trees such as Marula, Jackalberry, Leadwood and Tamboti (which all occur alongside the Weeping Boerbean in the South African lowveld) are common. No Schotias occur in Kenya or Tanzania.

Posted: Plants by CC Africa, Date: 21 November 2006