Majidea zangueberica (also known as the mgambo tree, black pearl tree or velvet seed tree) is a small tree of the family Sapindaceae.[1] The tree is native to East Africa and grows up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall.
This very ornamental small tree has shiny foliage with an attractive rounded canopy, making it very suitable for small tropical gardens or a container plant in cooler climates. They are hardy only in frost-free zones, otherwise they can make a rare and unique houseplant as they are smaller when container grown. The leaves are compound with up to 10 pairs of leaflets, which are elliptic about 5- long and 2cm-3cmcm (01inches-01inchescm) wide. Its highly ornamental seeds mean it's sometimes referred to as the black pearl tree or velvet-seed tree.
It blooms with dense clusters of small green-red, fragrant flowers at the end of panicles. Fruit is spherical with three lobes, 3cm (01inches) long. The fruit splits open, showing the bright red interior, with three spherical, velvety blue-black seeds.
The seeds are often used in artisan jewelry and the dried pods in flower arrangements, the composition of bouquets and decorative potpourri.