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Cordyla: A Genus of Legumes
Cordyla is a genus belonging to the legume family, Fabaceae.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Cordyla
- Family: Fabaceae
- Synonyms: Calycandra (author reduced Calycandra to Cordyla L.)
- Taxonomic Rank: Species, Subspecies
Species
The Plant List includes 7 accepted species names within the genus Cordyla.
- Cordyla africana L.
- Cordyla densiflora Milne-Redh.
- Cordyla pinnata
Cordyla africana
Cordyla africana L., sometimes known as the African Mango, is a notable species within this genus. Local names include mndundu.
Morphological Characteristics of Cordyla africana
- A tall, deciduous tree reaching heights of 9-30 meters.
- Features a large, spreading, rounded crown.
- Bole can be free of branches for up to 15 meters, with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of approximately 2.2 meters.
- Old stems exhibit grey to dark grey and fairly smooth bark.
- Leaves are imparipinnate with 11-28 alternate leaflets.
- Leaflets are oblong, shiny green on the upper surface, and paler below.
Distribution of Cordyla africana
Cordyla africana occurs from the coast of Kenya south to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, north-eastern South Africa, and Swaziland.
Subspecies of Note
- Cordyla madagascariensis subsp. tamarindoides (Capuron) Du Puy & Labat.
- One subspecies, ssp. littoralis, is confined to the coastal dunes in southern Somalia.
Interactions with Other Organisms
Elephants have been observed interacting with Cordyla africana at the Mfuwe Lodge.
Further Resources
- World Agroforestry Centre, Nairobi
- ARKive (for photos and facts)
- National Botanic Garden, Harare (Photo Credit)
- Biodiversity Library
- International Plant Names Index (IPNI)
- Tropicos