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Julbernardia paniculata is a medium to large tropical tree, also known as muchesa. It is widespread over the warmer parts of south tropical Africa, preferring moderately high altitudes, typically 1,000 to 1,200 metres (3,300 to 3,900 ft). It is very common over its range and is the dominant woodland tree in Miombo woodland over much of central Zambia and northern Malawi.
The muchesa is restricted in its range by availability of reliably wet conditions in the growing season of November to March. The rest of the year's rainfall is less important although it should be much drier as it requires at least a short dry resting period so its northern limits are determined by sufficient contrast between these two seasons. It does not occur south of the Zambezi river as it cannot withstand any frost or months with average temperatures of 15 °C (59 °F) or below. As a result, it grows in a band across the continent from north and north-east Angola through Katanga in Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the northern two-thirds of Zambia towards the inland plateau of north Mozambique and as far north as central Tanzania.
The bark is used to extract tannin for tanning leather, while the leaves are highly prized for feeding to cattle due to their high nutritional content. They are also the source of favourite local delicacy - some kinds of fat caterpillars that feed on the leaves and are collected and roasted as a snack.
Julbernardia globiflora · Julbernardia magnistipulata · Julbernardia seretii · Julbernardia
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Julbernardia paniculata by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
