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Umzimbeet tree
Afrikaans name: Omsambeet
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Umzimbeet tree
Photo © Steven Herbert
Millettia grandis
The Umzimbeet is an attractive tree that grows to a height of 15 metres. In spring it gets bunches of purple flowers.
The leaves of the Umzimbeet are narrow and bluish-green in colour and have small hairs underneath. It gets mauve or purple flowers in spring and has seed pods in summer and autumn.
This tree attracts butterflies such as the Striped Policeman, Pondo Charaxes and Orange Barred Playboy. They lay their eggs in the tree and the caterpillars feed off the leaves and seed pods.
The wood used to be used for furniture, domestic implements and other purposes but not so much anymore. The Zulus used to use it to make the shafts of their spears and knobkerries (knobsticks).

Photo © Steven Herbert
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Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
Whats that Tree? - Author: Eugene Moll - Published: 2011 - Page: 75Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 377
The Natal Bushveld - Volume 1 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 67
The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 164
Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - 2nd edition - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 2004 - Page: 148
A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Revised - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 161
Indigenous Garden Plants of Southern Africa - Author: Glenice Ebedes - Published: 2017 - Page: 37
A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1977 - Page: 147
Photographic Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: B, P, and B-E van Wyk - Published: 2000 - Page: 201
For more info: SANBI
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