Sjambok Pod tree / Long-tail Cassia

Afrikaans name: Sambokpeul

Sjambok Pod tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

Cassia abbreviata

The Sjambok Tree is also know as the Long-tail Cassia. Both names refer to the extraordinarily long seed-pods born by the tree. A "sjambok" is a straight, heavy whip made out of either leather or plastic.

The flowers of the Sjambok Tree occur in early spring and are deep yellow in colour and have a pleasant scent.

The Sjambok Tree is slow-growing and normally reaches a height of around 10 metres.

It is found in a variety of African countries from Somalia and South Africa. It is quite a popular tree amongst gardeners with smaller gardens.

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References and further reading

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Year Published: 1983 - Page: 154

A site-by-site guide to trees in the Kruger National Park - Author: Marissa Greeff - Year Published: 2017 - Page: 132

Common Trees of the Highveld - Author: Drummond & Coates Palgrave - Year Published: 1973 - Page: 40

Everyone's Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Year Published: 1989 - Page: 38

Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - Author: Piet van Wyk - Year Published: 2008 - Page: 88

Pocket Guide - Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Piet van Wyk - Year Published: 2013 - Page: 49

Sappi Tree Spotting: Lowveld - Author: Jacana - Year Published: 1997 - Page: 42

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Year Published: 2002 - Page: 339