Its leaves resemble those of the apple tree. That is why it is called the (northern) apple leaf tree in English, German and Afrikaans. However, the addition makes it clear that there is another tree in Namibia with 'apple tree leaves'.
To avoid misunderstandings, it is therefore best to use its scientific name Philenoptera violacea. The Greek words philenos and pteros mean "steerable wing".
This is because the tree's seeds are equipped with lamellae. Like wings, these carry the seeds away from the tree when the wind blows, thus helping to spread them. Violacea refers to the Latin word violaceus for violet, the colour of the flowers.
In South Africa, it is also called the 'rain tree' because it is often infested with spittle bugs (Ptyelus grossus). Like aphids, these insects suck the sap from the tree. They extract sugar and salts and excrete almost pure water. The fine droplets moisten the ground and sometimes even form puddles.
Namibia has declared the (northern) apple leaf tree the Tree of the Year 2025 on its Tree Day. This was announced by the Botanical Society of Namibia (BOTSOC). The occasion was Tree Day, which always takes place on the second Friday in October in Namibia.
Philenoptera violacea is found from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania through Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe to north-western South Africa. In Namibia, it only occurs in the north-east. It is very widespread in the Zambezi region.
It likes riverbanks and floodplains as well as sandy plains and the edges of dunes in the northern Kalahari (see also Tree Atlas of Namibia by Barbara Curtis and Coleen Mannheimer). With a height of three to eight metres, Philenoptera violacea is a medium-sized tree.
Its leaves are 7 to 20 cm long, unevenly pinnate and have 1 to 3 pairs of opposite leaflets and a terminal leaflet. The leaflets are hard and rough. They are shiny on the upper side. The underside is grey-green and has pronounced midribs.
In June, at the beginning of winter and the dry season, the tree sheds many of its leaves. At the end of the dry season in September, the first young leaves sprout again.
At the same time, Philenoptera violacea develops flowers. They are scattered, mostly in dense, terminal panicles 12 to 30 cm long at the tips of the branches and have a sweet scent. Their colour varies from white and pink to bluish-pink, mauve or dark purple.
The fruit of the tree consists of a flat pod measuring approximately 12 x 2.5 cm. It remains on the tree throughout the winter and usually has two or three kidney-shaped seeds.
Wild animals and livestock eat the nutritious leaves and fruits. The wood of Philenoptera violacea is used to make household items such as sanding blocks, tool handles and corn pounders.
It is also used for carvings and dugout canoes. Its roots have medicinal properties – for example, against gastrointestinal complaints.
Sven-Eric Stender
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