Lowveld or Purple-Pod Cluster-Leaf: Terminalia prunioides – Naturally Occurring
This is another very common tree on The Plot. It is a very striking tree during mid-summer owing to the eye-catching purple pods.
When one of our goats, we call Phudi, was attacked by dogs and it was to sore to walk, we had to feed it. We quickly learnt that she loved the leaves of this tree so Sue and I call it a Phudi tree.
Our goats still favour this tree over every other tree on The plot
Beauty of the Purple-pod Cluster-leaf
This is a small to medium sized tree which is often multi-stemmed. It has an untidy canopy as it has a drooping, spiky appearance, owing to the downward-curving branches.
The flowers are small and are creamy white in colour, and their odour is awful, just like smelly socks.
Uses of the Purple-pod Cluster-leaf
- The wood is very hard and is wood borer resistant hence it is used for fence poles, building materials and furniture.
- The wood also makes good firewood and it can be used to make excellent quality charcoal.
- The tree produces an edible gum. Which is also used to relieve postnatal abdominal pains.
Animals
- New shoots and leaves are eaten by elephant, giraffe, kudu and impala. And Goats. Elephants also eat the bark.
- The fruit is eaten by Brown-headed Parrots, baboon and monkey.
- Sociable spiders like to build their nests on the Purple-pod Cluster-leaf.
- We use it as goat feed.
Pete & Sue in Botswana 