Fever tree

The yellow-green trunks of fever trees form one of Africa’s most extraordinary forests on the edge of the Gorongosa plains.

Vachellia xanthophloea is an acacia growing 15–25 m tall, easily recognised by its smooth, powdery bark in sulphur yellow or greenish tones, which photosynthesises. It has pinnate leaves, long white thorns and round yellow flower heads. It grows only where groundwater is shallow – on the banks of rivers, lakes and swamps. Early travellers who camped near it fell ill with malaria and blamed the tree, hence the English name “fever tree” – in fact the culprits were mosquitoes from the nearby wetlands.

Significance in the country

The fever tree forests on the edge of the Lake Urema floodplains are the showpiece of Gorongosa National Park, a symbol of the revival of Mozambique’s wildlife after the civil war. The tree also grows in reserves in the south of the country.

Where it grows

Banks of rivers, lakes and swamps in central and southern Mozambique – the most famous forests are in Gorongosa (Sofala), as well as in the Limpopo Valley (Gaza) and the Maputo Special Reserve.

More: Wikipedia (en)