Phenology of Acacia albida trees in Zambezi riverine woodlands

Abstract

SummaryThe phenology of Acacia albida trees was studied over eight years in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. Leaf flush occurred towards the end of the rains. It was followed by flowering, with ripe fruit‐fall in the late dry season. Leaf‐fall occurred early in the following wet season. After seasons of low rainfall, trees were severely defoliated by caterpillars soon after leaf flush and this prompted a second flush of leaves. In these years there were also two periods of flowering and fruit production. During dry years, the proportion of trees which failed to set fruits after flowering increased, fruit production by those trees which did bear fruit was reduced and fruit‐fall started earlier in the year.