Burkea (Burkea africana, Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 6: tt. 593, 594 (1843))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: Hook.

Bibliography: Hooker’s Icon. Pl. 6: tt. 593, 594 (1843)

Year: 1843

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Burkea

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. Trop. Africa to NW. Uganda and Cape Prov.

Description

Burkea africana, known commonly as Burkea, is a resilient and distinctive tree species within the Fabaceae family. First described by the renowned botanist Hooker in his work Hooker’s Icones Plantarum in 1843, this tree has been admired for its unique characteristics and adaptability.

Burkea africana is native to a vast geographical range in Africa, extending from Western Tropical Africa to northwestern Uganda and the Cape Province. This broad distribution highlights its remarkable ability to thrive in diverse environmental conditions. The tree typically grows in open woodlands and savannas, where it is well-adapted to withstand the long dry seasons characteristic of these regions.

The species is notable for its sturdy timber, which is highly valued in many local communities for various purposes, including construction and crafting. Burkea africana is also appreciated for its aesthetic appeal, featuring an expansive canopy and attractive foliage that provide ample shade and enhance the visual appeal of the landscapes where it grows.

Despite its hardiness, Burkea africana faces challenges such as habitat destruction and overexploitation, which threaten its sustainability in the wild. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure that this magnificent species continues to flourish and provide its numerous ecological and economic benefits.

In summary, Burkea africana stands out as a significant member of the Fabaceae family, deeply intertwined with the natural and cultural heritage of its native regions. Its resilience and utility underscore the importance of ongoing efforts to protect and preserve this valuable tree for future generations.

Common Names

Eng: mkalati tree
En: Burkea, False ash, Umnondo, Wild syringa, Wild seringa, Mkalati Tree
Aa: Wilde sering
Af: Rooisering, Wildesering
Ar: بوركية أفريقية
Bm: Siri
Ff: Kokobi
He: לילך פראי
Sn: Mukarati
St: Monato
Ts: Mpulu
Ve: Mufhulu

Synonyms

• Burkea caperangau (Baill.)
• Burkea africana var. andongensis (Oliv.)
• Burkea africana var. cordata (Welw. ex Oliv.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Benin (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Caprivi Strip (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• Congo (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Togo (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Mar 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Mar 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Mar 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Mar 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Mar 28, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Leaf

Taken Mar 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Mar 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Mar 25, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Mar 28, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Mar 28, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Bark

Taken Mar 28, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

Taken Jan 17, 2016 by Manie Maree (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5348890)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:482512-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Burkea africana Hook.)

Specifications

Growth