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Schotia brachypetala

Family: Fabaceae

Common names: Weeping Boerbean (E); iHluze (Z); Huilboerboon (A); uMutwa (Tsw); UmGxam (X);

Native to: Southern Africa
Tree

Schotia brachypetala

DECIDUOUS

FULL SUN

SEMI FROST HARDY

MEDIUM WATER REQUIREMENTS

SLOW GROWER

ATTRACTS BIRDS

ATTRACTS INSECTS

FLOWER COLOUR:

AVERAGE SIZE:

12m x 12m
FLOWERING TIME:
J F M A M J J A S O N D
FRUITING TIME:
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Schotia brachypetala

DESCRIPTION

A medium semi-deciduous tree with a dense and spreading crown of dark-green foliage that turns coppery-red in spring. The bark is brownish-grey and rough. It bears deep red flowers which are produced in dense heads borne on old wood. The fruit is a flattened, woody pod containing pale brown seeds.

NATURAL HABITAT & DISTRIBUTION
Found in deciduous woodland and dry scrub forest.
WILDLIFE & ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS
The nectar-rich flowers attract a variety of pollinating insects and birds.
LANDSCAPING USES
GARDEN THEMES
Bushveld, Forest, Woodland
BARK
SEED
BUTTERFLY/MOTH HOST PLANT
Foxy Charax, Giant Charax, Koppie Charax, Large Blue Charax

13 responses

  1. Thank you. I think our climate is the exact opposite of that in its native range: we have wet winters and dry summers. So, it may never bloom here unfortunately. I’ll let you know for sure!

  2. Hi Thanasi

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    The most important factor is planting Schotia brachypetala in well-drained soil. In its natural habitat the soil does stay wet for several days in the summer months.

    I’m not familiar with your climatic conditions in Greece, but go ahead and try planting it. We’d be interested to hear your experiences.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  3. Hi, I have a question: I live in southern Greece and our winters are quite rainy. The soil may stay wet for several days or weeks. I read that the tree wants a dry winter or else it might not bloom. Do you think planting a Schotia would be a good idea in my climate?

  4. Hi Stacey

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Schotia brachypetala will generally flower within the first 5 years.

    In a garden setting, healthy plants can fail to produce flowers and fruit as a result of over-watering. Established plants like yours should not require any additional watering other than natural rainfall. If you are using an irrigation system, try to shut off the sprinklers feeding your trees and do not irrigate in winter to allow the trees to go dormant as they naturally would in the wild. This ‘rest’ period helps them recover from the active growing season (summer) and boosts the production of flowers and fruit.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  5. Hi
    I have a question please. Our Schotia have never flowered and I want to try understand why. You may be able to help. We have 7 Schotia’s in our garden. They are native to our area in Zululand. Ours are 10 years old and have grown big and beautiful bit have never flowered or produced fruit.
    Please help.

  6. Hi Louise

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Scotia brachypetala is the host plant to several indigenous butterfly species so it could be caterpillars for these butterflies eating your bonsai. If this is indeed the case, then your plant will recover once the caterpillars pupate to enter their next life phase. Otherwise, investigate further and you may have to take your plant to your nearest nursery to help identify the culprit in order to take corrective action.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  7. Good afternoon. Something is eating the leaves of my Huilboerboonboom bonsai. It is in a pot in the garden. What must I do?

  8. Hi Esme

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook and sharing your experiences with Schotia brachypetala.

    The tree is ideally suited for a larger garden where the ‘mess’ can be more easily tolerated and/or completely overshadowed by the magnificent bird life attracted by it. Otherwise, I agree with your recommended positioning in a lawn.

    Please do share more of your experiences.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  9. I love the tree! But this is what I found:
    Don’t plant it near a washing line, or a path. Don’t plant it in a flower bed. In spring, it looses ALL it’s leaves. Then immediately makes fresh green leaves. And then, insects come that eats the lovely green leaves and black sticky soot drips on the plants underneath, the pathways, the washing. Very messy. It really affects plants that it fell on.
    Plant it on a lawn, or in a field. It is a magnificent tree. Attracts birds. Esme Rimell, KZN, RSA

  10. Hi Raymond

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    Trees will typically bloom and produce seeds much faster when planted in the ground as they have access to more nutrients and will have space for their roots to grow unrestricted. For this species, flowering is usually within 5 years. There is a possibility that your tree has become pot-bound and is therefore under stress and lacks adequate nutrients. This could be a factor affecting the flowering.

    The pot should be placed in a position that receives at least 5 hours of sunshine daily.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  11. Good Afternoon
    I received a pottes Huilboerboon from a friend.
    It is roughly 17years old, I would want to keep it potted for now until I find the perfect place to plant it.

    Two quick questions:
    1. How old do these trees get before they bloom and produce seeds.

    2. Should the pot be placed in full sun for the whole day? Should it get as close to 12hours of sunlight as possible?

  12. Hi Dennis

    Thanks for visiting Plantbook.

    The dripping nectar of Schotia brachypetala is considered messy by some people and it could lead to having to clean the interlockers once a year with a high-pressure hose if required. If that is a concern to you, I’d recommend avoiding planting the tree in this position.

    Flourish!
    Glenice

  13. Is it advisable to plant the Huilboerboonboom in an area with interlockers with reference to the dripping nectar?
    Thanks for informative website.

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