Brachystegia spiciformis, commonly known as Zebrawood or Msasa, is a deciduous tree native to the miombo woodlands of Southern and Eastern Africa, including Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. It is a key species in these ecosystems, often forming extensive woodlands. The tree typically reaches around 52 feet in height, with taller specimens found in regions with reliable heavy rainfall, such as central Zambia and eastern Angola. The Msasa tree is known for its striking foliage, with young leaves emerging in shades of amber and wine-red in the spring before maturing to deep green. It produces small, fragrant green flowers in racemes during the early rainy season, which are not particularly showy but are valued for their scent.

The Msasa tree is valued for its hard, termite-resistant wood, which is used for fuel, construction, and furniture. It is also used in traditional medicine for various ailments. In cultivation, it is appreciated for its beautiful spring foliage and its ability to withstand light frost. The tree is slow-growing and requires well-drained soils, thriving in full sun to partial shade. It is not commonly cultivated outside its native range but can be used in large gardens or parks where space permits. Due to its slow growth rate, it is not typically a problem plant in terms of invasiveness or aggressive roots.CC BY-SA 4.0