Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
karoo boer-bean
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Schotia afra
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Schotia afra is a small, multi-branched evergreen tree with rigid branches and a gnarled trunk (1,2,3,4). At maturity it can grow to be 5-7 m (16-21 ft) with a low spreading canopy that can grow 9 m wide (30 ft) if unpruned (1,3,6). Branches grow on alternate sides; the bark becomes darker and rougher with age (1,5). The leaves are dark green, evenly pinnately compound, and alternately arranged with a glossy texture (1,5). There are three to eighteen linear-shaped leaflets per leaf with the those near the tip being a bit larger than at the base (1,5). The karoo boerbean is well known for its beautiful clusters of bright red flowers distributed throughout the tree (1,2,3,4,5,6). These flowers have five slightly uneven petals that form a pear shape with ten stamens poking out (1,5). The flowers contain multiple uneven ovaries that eventually form a sickle-shaped seed pod (5). These legumes start lime green, turn pink, then turn brown as they desiccate (1,4,5,6). After the pods are dried out, they explode and catapult the seeds as means of dispersal (3,4,5,). The seeds are smooth, brown, 1-2 cm in diameter, and sometimes have a small yellow aril attached (5).
Compound:
Sch afr
Geographic Origin:
Africa
Ecozone Origin:
Afrotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This tree naturally grows along the banks of dry streams and small rivers in Little Karoo and drier areas of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape in South Africa (1,3,4). This is a drought tolerant plant which has become increasingly popular in xeriscaping for its ornamental flowers (6). S. afra is classified as ‘Least Concern’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (3).
Cultivation Notes:
Karoo boerbean grows best in full sun and a well-drained soil but is very resilient in many soil types and moisture levels, only intolerant to standing water (1,6). It is considered drought-tolerant and frost hardy (1,6). It has a non-invasive root system making it a good option for a smaller garden or a container plant (1,6). When planted in clusters on the edge of a property, S. afra can form a thick hedge for privacy. For propagation, seeds should be planted in a semi-shaded area and watered every day; seeds will germinate in about seven days and should only be transplanted after developing a tap root and three sets of leaves (3).
Ethnobotany:
The bright red flowers produce copious amounts of nectar which makes S. afra an attractive tree to pollinators including butterflies, bees, and birds (1,3,4,6). The seeds are edible both green and mature (2,3,5). The common name ‘boerbean’ references to farmers’ early use of the ground up seeds as a coffee substitute (5). Traditionally, the pods are picked green and then roasted, which steams the seeds within the pod before being removed and eaten (3). The bark can be used as a source of tannins for dyes and wood is used as fuel or building tools (3,5). S. afra can be grown as a bonsai specimen with proper pruning (3,5).
Height:
16 - 20 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Red
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
