The purple-pod terminalia Combretceae (Terminalia pruniodes)

WHILE the silver cluster-leaf (Terminalia sericea) occurs only on sand, the purple-pod terminalia is often very abundant on clay and calcareous soils and hill sides from about the Spitzkoppe up to the northern borders of Namibia.

For most of the year these trees or shrubs can easily be recognised by their numerous flat, prune coloured, two-winged fruit to which the common names of European origin refer.

Names: G. Blutfruchtbaum A. Deurmekaar, bloedvrugboom, sterkbos; H., Nd. & Ky. Omuhama; N/D. kheera.s, kheea.s; Bot. Terminalia – because the leaves are clustered at the tips of the twigs (L. terminus = end); prunioides – like a plum or plum-coloured referring to the deep red colour of the fruits.

The purple-pod terminalia is often a tree of less than 10 m, branching low above the ground and of a rather untidy habit giving rise to the Afr. common name “deurmekaar”, i.e. ‘tangled’ or ‘jumbled’ because the branches grow at weird angles to each other. Typically a few long, spiny, drooping branches stick out of the crowns of these trees. North of Tsumeb, in the eastern parts of the Etosha National Park and in the Oshikoto region a shrubby form of the purple-pod terminalia often forms low, dense, encroaching thickets locally referred to as ‘mushara’, probably a distortion of “motsiara”, the Tswana name for the tree. The trunk is pale to dark grey, longitudinally fissured and grooved, but brown in the grooves. Short, spine-tipped lateral shoots grow at right angles to the long, somewhat drooping shoots.

Simple, entire, dark green to blue green leaves are borne in dense clusters at the tips of the branches.

Small, creamy yellow flowers in cylindrical spikes appear from October onwards, often in response to rain. The tree may flower several times per year and thus be covered in creamy flowers and rich plum-red fruits simultaneously, which is a spectacularly lovely sight. Being drought and frost resistant it would make a good garden tree. The flowers, however, have a slightly unpleasant smell, so it would be best to plant this tree away from outside entertainment areas.

Numerous oval, flattened, richly plum-red fruits are borne in hanging clusters all over the tree. They are somewhat thickened in the centre, surrounded by two papery wings. The dry fruits remain on the tree from autumn through winter (April – August), making it easy to identify.

Uses: The yellow-brown wood is hard, tough and durable and almost as heavy as that of the leadwood tree (Combretum imberbe). Because of its durability it is often used for the construction of homesteads and palisades. Although tough, it can be worked to a smooth finish and is thus suitable for tool handles. It makes good fuel and excellent charcoal.

In the northwest, during a purifying ceremony a long branch is twisted around the centre post of the shelter of a young girl reaching womanhood and all gifts received on this occasion are hung on the spiny branchlets of this branch.

Medicinal: A tea made out of the roots or the juice chewed out of the roots is used by San, Damara and Himba people to treat colds, sore throats and stomach aches. The tree also exudes an edible gum.