This species occurs in groups in low-lying swampy areas in the Northern province, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, where they can attain a height of 10-15 m. The striking appearance of their bark, which is smooth, slightly flaking, greenish-yellow to yellow, is very characteristic. The yellow flowers are borne in spherical heads during September-November. The pods are small, straight, and papery, with slight constrictions between the seeds European pioneer farmers believed that the trees somehow contributed to fever, but it is currently accepted that the only connection is that they occur in areas where malarial mosquitoes breed. Fever trees are currently much in vogue as landscaping specimens and an avenue of them can be seen on the campus on either side of Artes Road, south of the Aula parking area.