07.10.2013 Views

View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

View/Open - University of Zululand Institutional Repository

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Botanical description<br />

Albizia adianthifolia has a conspicuous flat crow. The bark is grey to reddish brown<br />

and rough. Its branchlets and peduncles have grey to brown hairs, with the young<br />

tips tinged pinkish red (Lewis et al., 2005).<br />

Figure 3.4 Rectangular leaflets with midribs diagonally across them.<br />

(www.plantzafrica.com/plantab/albiziadian.htm)<br />

Its leaves are very characteristic; the 4-8 pairs <strong>of</strong> pinnae bear 6-12 pairs <strong>of</strong> leaflets<br />

each. Every leaflet is obliquely rhombic-quadrate (rectangular), with the midrib<br />

diagonally across it. The petiole has a gland at the base. The flowers are striking,<br />

forming relatively large, half–spherical heads. Petals are white or greenish white, and<br />

are joined for at least two thirds <strong>of</strong> their length. Stamens are fused partly to form a<br />

tube and are reddish pink or green at the tips. In South Africa the tree flowers in<br />

spring during the months <strong>of</strong> September-November (Lewis et al. 2005).<br />

26

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!