Mopane

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mopane
• balsamtree
• butterfly-tree
• turpentine-tree
• Balsem Tree
• Black-Ironwood
• Butterfly Tree
• Mapane
• Red Angola Copal
• Rhodesian Ironwood
• Rhodesian-Ironwood
• White Ironwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Copaiba mopane
• Hardwickia mopane
• Copaifera mopane

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales. Ultimately, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and is placed in the genus Colophospermum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the region of South Tropical Africa. Within this broad area, its presence is specifically noted in the country of Angola. It also thrives within the borders of Malawi and Mozambique. Furthermore, the species can be found throughout much of Zambia. Finally, its geographical range extends into the nation of Zimbabwe.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Colophospermum mopane is characterized by its adaptation to specific topographic and environmental gradients, thriving within a defined altitudinal belt. This species is typically found across a broad elevational range, occupying landscapes that descend to a minimum of 200 m AMSL and ascending to a maximum of 1150 m AMSL. Its distribution is closely tied to these varying elevations, which influence the localized microclimates and soil moisture availability essential for its growth. By spanning this vertical gradient, the plant demonstrates a specialized ability to persist in diverse ecological niches within its habitat, ranging from lowland plains to more elevated terrain.

Elevational range max:

1150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Colophospermum mopane is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish long-term dominance within its native savanna ecosystems. As a perennial woody plant, it undergoes seasonal physiological changes, most notably its deciduous nature, where it sheds its foliage during the dry season to conserve moisture and survive periods of water scarcity. This cycle of leaf senescence and regrowth is intricately linked to the availability of seasonal rainfall, facilitating a survival strategy that enables the plant to persist through harsh environmental fluctuations over many years.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Colophospermum mopane is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a terrestrial, self-supporting species that functions independently, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant exhibits significant structural variation in size, with a height range spanning from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 20 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 12 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Colophospermum mopane is characterized by a highly efficient metabolic framework adapted for survival in semi-arid environments. It utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates carbon fixation through the enzyme RuBisCO, although this requires specific stomatal regulation to balance gas exchange with water loss. Complementing its metabolic processes, the plant functions as a nitrogen fixer, establishing symbiotic relationships that allow it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby enhancing its nutrient acquisition in often nutrient-poor soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Colophospermum mopane is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit specific physical properties essential to its dispersal and establishment. The seed mass of this species shows measurable variation, with a recorded mean mass of 0.516225 g. Within the observed population, the individual seed weights fluctuate between a minimum value of 0.42351 g and a maximum value of 0.56732 g. These morphological traits of the seeds play a critical role in the plant's reproductive success and its ability to colonize suitable environments.

Seed mass max:

0.56732 g

Seed mass mean:

0.516225 g

Seed mass min:

0.42351 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Colophospermum mopane has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Seed

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Activities

Colophospermum mopane has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Conditions

Colophospermum mopane has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antioxidant, diarrhea.

Antioxidant

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Diarrhea

1. Frontiers in veterinary science

Preparations

Colophospermum mopane has 2 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Water and methanol extracts from seeds, methanol and distilled water extracts.

Water and methanol extracts from seeds

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Methanol and distilled water extracts

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)