Agroforestry
Pigeon peas: trial food and biomass in a warm garden
Pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan, is a shrubby legume grown for food and other farm uses. It may fill a useful role in a warm, adequately watered garden, but its mature size, se…
Living Earth topic
agroforestry
Trees and crops (and animals) grown together.
Local plants
Camelthorn: protect existing trees and establish the next generation
Camelthorn, Vachellia erioloba, is a characteristic tree of dry southern African landscapes. Older references call it Acacia erioloba. Its shade, habitat and long life ma…
Local plants
Mopane: work with a tree adapted to hot landscapes
Mopane, Colophospermum mopane, is a defining tree of many hot southern African landscapes, including parts of Namibia. Its value includes habitat, shade and its place in…
Garden
Productive hedges: shelter, privacy and habitat around a small plot
A hedge can define a garden, soften wind, provide habitat and sometimes produce food. On a small plot, its water demand, thorns and mature width deserve as much attention…
Garden
Zinnias: bring flowers into a productive garden
Zinnias bring colour and insect activity into a food garden and can supply cut flowers. They are useful plants in their own right; their job need not be justified by clai…
Biomass Plants
Sesbania: identify the species and match it to the water available
Sesbania plants can attract interest as fast-growing support vegetation. Species differ in habitat, persistence and toxicity, so a riverbank plant and an introduced ornam…
Agroforestry
Albizia trees: choose the species, not just the name
Albizia is a group of trees, not a single interchangeable source of shade, biomass or fodder. A useful planting decision begins with the scientific name, available space…
Local plants
Shepherd’s tree: value the Boscia albitrunca already in the landscape
Boscia albitrunca, often called shepherd’s tree or witgat, is a characteristic tree of dry southern African landscapes. Existing trees can provide shade, habitat and brow…
Local plants
Wild tamarisk: recognise Tamarix usneoides before planting
Tamarix usneoides is a southern African tamarisk associated with dry and saline environments. It deserves a place in local tree learning, but the name “tamarisk” also cov…
Feed
Brachiaria forage: turn a promising recommendation into a local trial
Brachiaria is a familiar name for forage grasses now often classified under Urochloa.
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