PlantsMap

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8 plants worth knowing

Zambia

Zambia lies on a vast plateau, most of which is covered by open, dry miombo woodland – one of the largest on the continent. In the deep valleys of the Luangwa and the Zambezi grow mopane woodland, baobabs and riverine trees, in the west the Kalahari sands are covered with Zambezi “teak”, and the Barotse Floodplain and the Bangweulu Swamps also stand out in the landscape.

Hover over a plant to see on the map where it grows.

where it grows

  1. Msasa 1

    tree

    Msasa

    Brachystegia spiciformis

    The key tree of miombo woodland – before the rains its young leaves paint the plateau red, copper and burgundy.
  2. Sausage tree 2

    tree

    Sausage tree

    Kigelia africana

    The “sausage tree” of the Luangwa valley – fruits weighing up to several kilograms hang from its branches on long cords.
  3. Zambezi teak 3

    tree

    Zambezi teak

    Baikiaea plurijuga

    The hard, heavy “teak” of the Kalahari sands was hauled out by a purpose-built railway – and turned into sleepers and parquet floors.
  4. Mukwa 4

    tree

    Mukwa

    Pterocarpus angolensis

    A cut mukwa trunk “bleeds” red sap, and its beautiful wood is the most prized furniture timber in Zambia.
  5. Masuku 5

    tree

    Masuku

    Uapaca kirkiana

    Sweet masuku fruits, gathered in the miombo woodland at the start of the rainy season, are sold by the bucket along every road.
  6. Maize 6

    crop

    Maize

    Zea mays

    Maize meal makes nshima – the stiff porridge Zambians eat almost every day; maize is the country’s most important crop.
  7. African baobab 7

    tree

    African baobab

    Adansonia digitata

    Mighty baobabs grow in the hot Luangwa and Zambezi valleys – many have served as landmarks and meeting places for generations.
  8. Mopane 8

    tree

    Mopane

    Colophospermum mopane

    Mopane woodland with butterfly-shaped leaves covers the hot Luangwa and Zambezi valleys – key elephant habitat and a source of edible caterpillars.