Newtonia buchananii
Newtonia buchananii is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is a large tree found in highland forests across tropical Africa.
Description
Newtonia buchananii is a tall tree growing between 10 to 40 meters in height. It typically forms a loose canopy with a flattish crown. The bark is smooth, and the trunk is often buttressed at the base.
- Leaves: Bipinnate, with 38–67 pairs of linear or falcate leaflets, each 2–9 mm long; light green when young.
- Flowers: Cream-colored, fading to brown, borne on spikes 3.5 to 19 cm in length.
- The tree may be deciduous depending on local conditions.
Distribution and Habitat
Newtonia buchananii thrives in humid highland forests of tropical Africa, typically at 600 to 2200 meters elevation.
- Climatic range:
- Rainfall: 1,100 – 3,000 mm annually
- Temperature: 17 – 27°C
Regional Distribution
- West Africa:
- Nigeria, Cameroon (highlands, 1,100 – 1,800 m)
- East and Southern Africa:
- Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe
- Found in evergreen rainforests, often near streams and lakes
Uses
- Timber: Newtonia buchananii is harvested for its high-quality wood.
- Agroforestry: Often grown in coffee, tea, and cocoa plantations to provide light shade for crops.
See Also
References
(References to be added upon verification of sources)