DISTRIBUTION
Usually grows near water at low to medium altitudes but not in evergreen forests (RSCU 1992). It is found in Miombo woodlands including Morogoro, Dodoma, Mikumi National Park, Selous Game Reserve, and Ruaha National Park (Rulangaranga 1989).
Status: The tree is protected in South Africa (Palgrave 1988).
REQUIREMENTS
Soil Requirements: L. capassa prefers well-drained soils.
Influential Factors: Very sensitive to fire (RSCU 1992). It is tolerant to a few degrees of frost.
PROPAGATION
Means of Propagation: Seed.
Seed Treatments: Pretreatment not necessary. Use fresh seed. Pods are flat and greyish about 1.2×2.5 cm, with a wing along one edge, and contain 1 to 5 seeds.
Seedling Management: The tree is easily raised from seed.
SILVICULTURE
Planting Types: Readily cultivated in gardens. It is used for reforestation in Dodoma.
Growth Factors: Fairly fast growing.
Growth Cycle: Fruits are produced from May through October (Palmer and Pitman 1972). The kidney shaped seeds are set free when pods rot on the ground.
Management Systems: Young trees must be protected against fire and browsing.
IMPORTANT USES
Use #1: BEE PLANT
The flowers are very fragrant and the abundant nectar readily attracts bees.
Use #2: MEDICINE
The roots are used to treat stomach disorders, hookworms, and coughs. Rotenone, used in the insecticide Derris, is extracted from the roots (RSCU 1992).
Use #3: GENERAL PURPOSE WOOD
The wood is strong, fairly hard and heavy, and is used for making grain mortars and tool handles.
NOTES
Many Africans are superstitious about L. capassa as it is one of the rain trees. In Tanzania the leaves are put into the luggage of travellers for protection during a journey. The tree is also known to be a reliable indicator of ground water.
