Stereospermum kunthianum

Stereospermum kunthianum Cham. is an African deciduous shrub or small tree occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. It is widespread across Africa to the Red Sea, and reaches as far south as Angola, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. There are some 30 species with a Central African and Asian distribution. Growing to 25 cm diameter, it has thin, grey-black bark, smooth or flaking in patches resembling the London plane; the trunk is rarely straight, with twisted branches. Usually 5m tall, but occasionally up to 15m, with abundant, fragrant, precocious, pink or purplish flowers, making the tree a spectacular sight. The alternate leaves are imparipinnately compound and some 25 cm long; leaflets are nearly opposite with one terminal leaflet, and with short, soft hairs, oblong to oblong-elliptic in shape, green and hairless above, yellowish-green with prominent venation below, apex somewhat attenuate, and the base tapering. The leaf margin may be entire or sometimes toothed in coppice shoots, while petiolules are virtually absent. Petioles may be up to 7 cm long, and are caniculate. Immature leaves are occasionally toothed and hairy.