After the first proper rains a few weeks ago, the bush has already started to transform. The dust has settled, the air feels fresher, and that first flush of green has crept across the bushveld. Everything suddenly looks alive again. You can almost feel the energy returning, with insects buzzing, birds calling, and the scent of damp earth and petrichor lingering in the air.
Guests enjoy a later afternoon drink whilst watching the cloud formations of a frontal system build on the horizon. It’s these types of clouds that usually initiate the above questions
But amongst all the new greenery, one of the most striking bursts of colour has stolen the show: the mopane pomegranate (Rhigozum zambesiacum). Also known by numerous other common names, such as Zambezi gold or scrambled egg bush, a personal favourite of mine, because let’s be honest, that’s exactly what it looks like scattered across the landscape.
Normally, this medium-sized shrub goes almost completely unnoticed. It sits quietly amongst the combretums and guarrie bushes, minding its own business for most of the year. However, give it one good soaking of rain, and it announces its presence in the brightest way possible. Almost overnight, the bush explodes with bright yellow flowers, transforming what was once just another background shrub into one of the most spectacular bursts of colour around.
It’s one of those plants that, until it flowers, you could walk past every day and never give it a second thought. In fact, I’d put money on it that about ninety per cent of the rangers here couldn’t identify a mopane pomegranate unless it was flowering. Then, all of a sudden, this time of year, all the rangers know exactly where every bush is, and so you can’t help but smile.
The Science Behind the Spectacle
So, how does this shrub put on such a rapid show? It’s all about a clever survival strategy. The mopane pomegranate is an opportunistic bloomer. It spends most of the dry season conserving energy, its buds almost already formed and just waiting for the right moment. Once that first decent rainfall hits the roots, it acts like a starting gun. The plant gets the signal to grow, and in a matter of days, it goes from dull grey-green to absolutely covered in flowers. This quick response allows the plant to take full advantage of the brief window of favourable moisture.
These blooms don’t just look good; they’re working hard. The bright yellow colour and tubular shape are a perfect invitation for bees, which are the primary pollinators. After the rain, bee activity spikes dramatically, and the flowers open right on cue, offering fresh nectar when other food sources are scarce. It’s a perfectly timed exchange: the bees get an early-season feast, and the plant gets pollinated almost instantly.
Why Do the Flowers Fall So Fast?
You might notice that the mopane pomegranate’s moment in the spotlight is incredibly short-lived, with the entire flowering period lasting only about 10 days. The answer to “why do their flowers fall so quickly?” is tied directly to their efficient pollination strategy. Once the bees have done their job, there’s no reason for the flowers to hang around. Once the petals start to fall, within a few days, the ground is carpeted in yellow. It looks like someone has shaken out a giant tablecloth of colour. This quick turnover saves the plant energy and reduces water loss—a clever trick for survival until the next bouts of rainfall arrive.
You might also see antelope like kudu or impala nibbling at the fresh blooms or young shoots. The flowers themselves are surprisingly palatable, especially after the rain when they’re soft and full of moisture. Once flowering is over, the shrub goes back to its tough, thorny self, often browsed more heavily in the dry months.
So, while the mopane pomegranate’s moment in the spotlight is short-lived, it’s spectacular. One good rain and the landscape changes overnight. Blink, and you might miss it.
Excellent article Sean, very informative. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Allan.
So very well described and written! Trees often take us by surprise (and plants generally). All of a sudden, a burst of colours, that washes away the dullness and gives light to the landscape. Just wonderful!
Thank you so much, Francesca. They often do take us by surprise.
I really enjoy these unusual and informative articles. Are they called the Mopane Pomegranate because the mopane caterpillar eats them or is there another reason? Also, is there a reason that most early plants’ flowers are yellow in colour? Has it got something to do with the fact that the sun isn’t as bright? Here in England a lot of the early native flowers are yellow, like daffodils, buttercups, dandelions, celandines etc. Are insects attracted to yellow more in the early spring?
From what I understand, the name mopane pomegranate comes from the plants usual habitat and is often found growing in the hot, dry mopane bushveld or woodland, where the mopane tree (Colophospermum mopane) is a dominant species. The “pomegranate” part of the name is due to the resemblance of its yellow flowers to those of the actual pomegranate (Punica granatum), which is an unrelated plant. They share a similar trumpet or tubular shape with crinkled lobes when in flower. It is also known as the “yellow pomegranate” for this reason.
I believe the yellow flowers are designed to attract the most amount of insects as yellow is the most obvious colour and will be seen from the furthest away, highlighting that insects will be attracted to the yellow more when it is so contrasting. A reason why most taxi cabs are yellow in colour, because it is the easiest to see.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. Taxi cabs, hey! Never would have thought of that. In the UK they’re all black 🙂
In the UK, if I am not mistaken, the most popular taxi models after WWII, were supplied in black as the standard, cheapest option. This colour then became tradition over time and is said to now represent professionalism and reliability.
In the US, cabs were and still are yellow, after a study suggested yellow to be the most visible colour at a distance and in low light. It was popularised by John Hertz, founder of the Yellow Cab Company.
I’m so sorry that my visits haven’t coincided with seeing this tree in bloom, but I’m so glad you provided the information as to how and why the flowers have such a short lifespan. This tree is particularly interesting to me as I have a flowering Pomegranate tree in my backyard that currently stands at 20’ tall. Its blooms are red-orange, ruffled petals with a waxy yellow stem. It blooms from late April through September but what’s more interesting about it, is that the blossoms usually last about a week and then fall to the patio. The difference between your Mopane and my varietal is that my tree doesn’t bloom at the same time, thus there are always blooms u til fall begins. Now I’ll look in my local nurseries to see if your species is grown in California.
That is interesting. Have a look over there and see if you are able to find a Rhigozum zambesiacum.
Another informative and interesting article , Sean. So beautiful, these bright yellow flowers, an invitation to bees and maybe other insects as well.
They are such beautiful trees when they are flowering.
Hi Sean these flowers are so beautiful in colour. Thank you for your interesting write up on the Blooms of the Mopane Pomegrante. Now all the Rangers and visitors alike will know where the Mopane Pomegranate shrubs are on Londolozi. The antelope that eat them are having a lovely treat to eat.
Now all the rangers will know where they are but probably forget when the flowers are gone, only to be reminded next year when they bloom again.