Tamboti Tree

Afrikaans name: Tambotie

Tamboti

Photo © Steven Herbert

Spirostachys africana

The Tamboti is a well known tree. It grows to a height of around 10 metres.

The wood of the Tamboti is used to make fine furniture and is much sought after.

Care must be taken not to burn the wood of a Tamboti tree in a braai or camp fire. The fumes given off by the burning wood are poisonous.

Have you ever seen a jumping bean? The jumping bean found in South Africa comes from the fruit of the Tamboti into which a moth has laid an egg. The resulting larvae spring around inside the fruit segments, that have fallen to the ground, causing them to jump.

Leaves of the Tamboti

Photo © Steven Herbert

Top

References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 191

A site-by-site guide to trees in the Kruger National Park - Author: Marissa Greeff - Year Published: 2017 - Page: 2

Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - Author: Piet van Wyk - Year Published: 2008 - Page: 132

Kruger - Portrait of a National Park - Author: David Paynter with Wilf Nussey - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 30

Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Year Published: 2004? - Page: 176

Sappi Tree Spotting: Lowveld - Author: Jacana - Year Published: 1997 - Page: 208

Sasol First Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Elsa Pooley - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 50

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Year Published: 1994 - Page: 230

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 1 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Year Published: 1981 - Page: 73

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Year Published: 2002 - Page: 519

Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Year Published: 2015 - Page: 82