Professional Documents
Culture Documents
27
Edible Wild
Plants of
Tanzania
Christopher K. Ruffo
Ann Birnie
Bo Tengnäs
Drip Irrigation: options for smallholder farmers in eastern and southern Africa
Isaya V. Sijali. 2001. TH No. 24. ISBN 9966-896-77-5
Water from sand rivers: a manual on site survey, design, construction, and maintenance of seven
types of water structures in riverbeds
Erik Nissen-Petersen. 2000. TH No. 23. ISBN 9966-896-53-8
Rainwater harvesting for natural resources management: a planning guide for Tanzania
Nuhu Hatibu and Henry F. Mahoo (eds.). 2000. TH No. 22. ISBN 9966-896-52-X
Agroforestry handbook for the banana-coffee zone of Uganda: farmers’ practices and experiences
I. Oluka-Akileng, J. Francis Esegu, Alice Kaudia and Alex Lwakuba. 2000. TH No. 21. ISBN 9966-896-51-1
Water harvesting: an illustrative manual for development of microcatchment techniques for crop
production in dry areas
Mwangi T. Hai. 1998. TH No. 16. ISBN 9966-896-33-3
Agroforestry manual for extension workers in Central and Lusaka provinces, Zambia
Joseph A. Banda, Penias Banda and Bo Tengnäs. 1997. TH No. 14. ISBN 9966-896-31-7
Useful trees and shrubs in Eritrea: identification, propagation and management for agricultural and
pastoral communities
Estifanos Bein, B. Habte, A. Jaber, Ann Birnie and Bo Tengnäs. 1996. TH No. 12. ISBN 9966-896-24-4
Useful trees and shrubs for Uganda: identification, propagation and management for agricultural
and pastoral communities
A.B. Katende, Ann Birnie and Bo Tengnäs. 1995. TH No. 10. ISBN 9966-896-22-8
Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania
i
ii
Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania
CHRISTOPHER K. RUFFO
ANN BIRNIE AND BOTENGNÄS
iii
Published by the Regional Land Management Unit, RELMA/Sida
ICRAF House, Gigiri
P.O. Box 63403
Nairobi, Kenya
Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Ruffo CK, Birnie A, Tengnäs B. Edible wild plants of Tanzania. 2002. RELMA
Technical Handbook Series 27. Nairobi, Kenya: Regional Land Management Unit
(RELMA), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). 766 p.
+ x; colour section; includes bibliography.
ISBN 9966-896-62-7
The content of this book is based on information gathered from a wide range of informants in the
field at locations throughout Tanzania and is presented in good faith. If you have any doubts,
before putting into practice any of its recommendations we advise you to verify information on
uses and preparation with knowledgeable people in your own situation and community. Neither
RELMA nor the individual authors will accept any liability for misidentification of the plants
described or any ill effects that may result from their consumption or any other form of use.
iv
Contents
Foreword ................................................................................................................... vii
Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. viii
Introduction ................................................................................................................ 1
Illustrated glossary of botanical terms ................................................................... 11
PART I
Local names .............................................................................................................. 17
PART II
The species ................................................................................................................ 67
APPENDICES
I. Summary table of parts of the plant used for food ........................................ 732
II. Workshop participants ...................................................................................... 740
Bibliography ........................................................................................................... 743
List of families and species .................................................................................... 749
Index of species ...................................................................................................... 759
Feedback form ........................................................................................................ 765
v
Map 1. The main physical features of Tanzania
vi
Foreword
This book can be regarded as the third in a series begun in 1999 when the Na-
tional Museums of Kenya published Traditional Food Plants of Kenya with spon-
sorship and technical assistance from RELMA, among others. Later the same year
RELMA’s Wild Food Plants and Mushrooms of Uganda was launched, and now
we are very pleased to publish this volume, Edible Wild Plants of Tanzania.
In all three, it proved difficult to select the species to be included. The flora of
this region is so rich that any complete catalogue of all the wild plants that have
current or potential uses as food would result in enormously cumbersome books.
RELMA sees four good reasons for documenting this kind of information on the
edible wild plants of east and southern Africa in an easily accessible format:
• As a general principal, we should attempt to record all traditional knowledge
and wisdom that is at risk of dying out. There are still many people—often the
old people—who know how to utilize the resources of the “wild”, but this is
knowledge that nowadays is seldom passed on to the younger generation;
• During periods of crop failure and famine, wild foods are often available pro-
vided people know where to look for them, recognize them and can cook them
appropriately;
• Eating habits are changing very rapidly, both in the South and the North.
Unfortunately, however, not all these changes are nutritionally sound. Some-
times the modern staple foods relied upon in Africa are monotonous and lack
nutrients essential for a balanced diet. The addition of some wild plant foods to
such poor staple-based diets can mean the difference between a healthy child
and one whose future may be blighted by the consequences of malnutrition;
• Probably the most important edible plant species in the world have already
been identified, domesticated, propagated, developed and put to economic use.
Modern gene-modification techniques have the potential for developing new
plants in the laboratory, but I am convinced that there will always be uses for
existing but not-so-well-known “new” plants in food production. The promotion
of “functional foods”—those that are “extra healthy”, or half way to being medi-
cines—is growing rapidly. It is more than likely that among all the edible wild
plants of eastern Africa there are substances with the potential for being devel-
oped into products that could play an important economic role in the region.
Lastly, I would like to commend the main author, Christopher K. Ruffo, whose
extensive knowledge of the ethnobotany of Tanzania, resulting from decades of
botanical work in his country, forms the basis of this book. This initial information
was supplemented by further data gathered by him in the course of extensive
travels to five regions of Tanzania mainland, i.e. Kilimanjaro, Tanga, Iringa, Tabora
and Kigoma, and also Zanzibar, and interactions with local people in all those
areas. The rest of the team behind this book relied heavily on Mr Ruffo’s expertise.
Åke Barklund
Director, RELMA
vii
Acknowledgements
This book is the result of the combined efforts of a team of people facilitated by a
Sida grant through the Regional Land Management Unit, RELMA. Christine Hold-
ing and Bo Tengnäs initiated the project through RELMA, and Bo Tengnäs and
Gatheru Kimaru facilitated the field work and production throughout.
An initial text was supplemented by a great amount of data gathered in the
course of extensive travels to five Regions of Tanzania mainland, i.e. Kilimanjaro,
Tanga, Iringa, Tabora and Kigoma, and also to Zanzibar, and interaction with
local people in the areas visited.
Many organizations and individuals contributed to the successful completion of
that part of the work, and in particular the following deserve mention:
• The Commissioner of Natural Resources, Zanzibar, and his staff who guided us
to various important places and facilitated data collection on the use of wild food
plants in Zanzibar;
• The Regional Natural Resources Officer and Regional Agricultural Officer of
Tanga whose competent extension staff arranged for us to interview local farm-
ers in Tanga, Muheza, Korogwe and Lushoto Districts;
• The Project Manager of East Usambara Catchment Project, Tanga, and his staff
for their co-operation and allowing us access to their library;
• The District Agricultural Officer, Moshi, and his staff for arranging meetings
and interviews with local people. Mama Moshi, in particular, drove us tirelessly
and courageously on muddy roads to collect data in Kilimanjaro Region;
• The District Agricultural Officer and District Forest Officer, Same District, who
arranged for us to meet and interview Maasai and Pare tribesmen in Ruvu
Mferejini and Mbagga villages, respectively;
• The District Natural Resources Officer and District Agricultural Officer of Iringa,
Mafinga and Njombe Districts and their staff who arranged meetings with groups
of women, men and young people in various villages;
• The Regional Natural Resources Officer, Tabora Region, and District Agricul-
tural Officers of Tabora, Nzega and Igunga Districts who arranged for us to
meet Nyamwezi tribesmen and herbalists;
• The Director of the Agricultural Training Centre, Tumbi, Tabora, and his staff
for taking us on a field visit through the intact Tumbi Forest Reserve accompa-
nied by local people to identify and discuss their use of wild food plants;
• The Co-ordinator of Lake Tanganyika Catchment Forest and Education
viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
(TACARE) and the Warden in charge of the Gombe Stream National Park,
Kigoma District for their kind co-operation in the field;
• The District Natural Resources Officers of Kasulu and Kibondo Districts for ar-
ranging interviews with Ha tribesmen;
• The Co-ordinator of the Soil Erosion Control and Agroforestry Project (SECAP)
at Lushoto who arranged for us to visit local markets at Lushoto, Soni and Lukozi.
My sincere gratitude to the Director of the Tanzania Forestry Research Insti-
tute (TAFORI) at Morogoro and the Head, Botany Department, University of Dar
es Salaam and their staff who allowed us to use their herbaria for the identifica-
tion of plants collected in the field.
I owe a particular debt of gratitude to Professors Inga and Olov Hedberg, both
of the University of Uppsala, for their useful comments on the plants which have
been included in this book. I also thank Ingvar Backeus of the University of Uppsala
for arranging a study visit to that institution for Agnes Nyambo and myself in
February 2000.
I also acknowledge the important contributions made by all the participants at
the review workshop held in Iringa in November 2000 (Appendix II) and thank
them for their input. I also thank Agnes Nyambo for her good company and co-
operation during our field work.
An initial manuscript was then put together by all three authors with the help
of Yasmin Kalyan’s usual speedy and efficient data entry. Further details were
reviewed at the University of Uppsala in Sweden.
Ann Birnie, botanical consultant and artist, prepared the botanical descrip-
tions and supplemented information on the ecology and distribution of the se-
lected species. She also organized and coordinated production of the many
illustrations required, including making a few original drawings. Nicholas Muema
drew some illustrations in the field, but most drawings were made from dried speci-
mens in the East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi. The
authors remain indebted to the staff of the Herbarium for their assistance in this.
Other illustrations were taken from previous RELMA/Sida publications (those in
the volumes of the Useful Trees and Shrubs series and Wild Food Plants and
Mushrooms of Uganda), and a few were original work by Mr H. P. Msanga of the
National Tree Seed Centre, Morogoro.
I am grateful to the National Museums of Kenya and the East Africa Natural
History Society for permission to use the illustrations taken from Kenya Trees,
Shrubs and Lianas by H.J. Beentje and Upland Kenya Wild Flowers by A.D.Q.
Agnew and S. Agnew, respectively. Illustrations from the published family vol-
umes of the Flora of Tropical East Africa (FTEA) are reproduced courtesy the Li-
brary, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The copyright to all the above illustrations
remains with the original publishers.
Finally, I wish to thank all the other people who contributed in one way or
another during data collection and final production of the book but are not specifi-
cally mentioned here.
Christopher K. Ruffo
ix
Map 2. The main phytogeographical regions of Tanzania
x
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Biodiversity and the vegetation of Tanzania
Tanzania, with an area of 945,000 km2, has the greatest diversity of plant species
of all African countries with the exception of the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) and South Africa. There are over 9,000 species of higher plants in Tanza-
nia, many of which are so-called endemic species, meaning that they are only
found in Tanzania. The vegetation of an area is generally classified into regions
based on the species and plant associations found there. These regions are called
phytogeographical regions, and those regions found in Tanzania are indicated
below and shown in Map 2:
• Afro-montane region
• Lake Victoria region
• Somali–Maasai region
• Zambezian region
• Zanzibar–Inhambane region.
The Afro-montane region covers the high mountain areas of Tanzania, in-
cluding Kilimanjaro, Meru, Ngorongoro, Hanang, Rungwe, Mbizi and Makale.
Afro-montane vegetation is also found in the eastern arc mountains, which in-
clude Pare, Usambara, Nguu, Nguru, Ukaguru, Malundwe, Rubeho and Mahenge.
The eastern arc mountains are known to be extremely rich in species diversity and
endemism. Over 25% of the eastern arc species are endemic, including several
species of wild coffee, e.g. Coffea mongensis and Coffea mufindiensis. This region
receives high rainfall (1,000–3,000 mm per year) and is densely populated be-
cause of the favourable conditions for agriculture.
The Lake Victoria region covers the areas around Lake Victoria and the
northern part of Lake Tanganyika. The rainfall is relatively high (1,500–2,000
mm per year) in this region too. Most of the luxuriant forests around these lakes
have been cleared for agriculture, with the exception of the forest at Minziro,
which is rich in species, including some Afro-montane species such as Podocarpus
falcatus.
The Somali–Maasai region is in the central and northern parts of Tanza-
nia. Thickets, woodlands and grasslands dominate in this region. Acacia and
Commiphora are common. There are also many endemic species of plants, e.g.
1
INTRODUCTION
2
INTRODUCTION
Table 1. Some wild food plants and their role in the diet
Oil seeds
Allanblackia Allanblackia spp. Oil
Desert date Balanites aegyptiaca Oil
Wild kapok Bombax rhodognaphalon
var. tomentosum Oil, snack, famine food
Cork-wood tree Ricinodendron heudelotii
subsp. africanum Oil famine food
Cape mahogany Trichilia emetica Oil
Cereals
Crow-foot grass Dactyloctenium aegypticum Famine-period staple
Crow-foot grass Dactyloctenium giganteum Famine-period staple
Wild sorghum Sorghum purpureo-sericeum Staple
Beverages
Baobab Adansonia digitata Drink, snack, famine food
Wild coffee Coffea spp. Drink
Tamarind Tamarindus indica Drink, snack
Marula plum Sclerocarya birrea Snack, drink, famine food
Wild loquat Uapaca spp. Snack, drink, famine food
Fruit
Wild custard apple Annona senegalensis Mainly snacks
African ebony Diospyros mespiliformis Mainly snacks, famine food
Indian plum Flacourtia indica Mainly snacks, jam
Mobola plum Parinari curatellifolia Snacks, drink, famine food
Wild medlar Vangueria spp. Mainly snacks, drink, famine
food
Leafy vegetables
Amaranth Amaranthus spinosus Sauce, vegetable
Wild simsim Sesamum calycinum var. angustifolium Sauce, vegetable
Common purselane Portulaca oleracea Sauce, vegetable
Hibiscus Hibiscus spp. Sauce, vegetable
Roots and tubers
Yams Dioscorea spp. Staple and famine food
Spices, flavourings
Wild cardamom Aframomum angustifolium Improve palatability and
taste
Ashanti pepper Piper guineense Improve palatability
and taste
Food categories
The culinary culture and dishes of the various communities in Tanzania, as in
most of Africa, are, of course, different from those in the West. As a result, in
many cases there are no exactly equivalent English words for African dishes
or components of a meal.
Staple
A staple food is the major or dominant food, usually high in carbohydrate, that
forms the most important component of a meal, e.g. sweet potatoes, millet, rice,
maize or cassava. Relatively few staples are collected from the wild, but most
3
INTRODUCTION
communities know of “emergency staples” that can be relied upon during famine,
for example Dactyloctenium spp.
The main staples eaten in Tanzania are either boiled or steamed (e.g.
potatoes, green bananas, rice), or ground into flour (e.g. maize, millet, cas-
sava). The flour is cooked with water into a stiff dough-like “porridge“, gener-
ally eaten with the various vegetable dishes or “sauces” described in this
book. There is no exact equivalent for this stiff “porridge” in the English lan-
guage or Western cuisine, either in its consistency (somewhat similar to dry
mashed potatoes) or its dominating role as the basic component of the meal.
Therefore, in this book we have used the Swahili word ugali, unless a local
Tanzania name is specified. We use the word “porridge” to mean a much
thinner gruel-type food (called uji in Swahili) that can be drunk from a bowl
or cup. Often this thin porridge is made from the same flours as the staple
ugali of the area with the addition of various plant juices and flavourings, or
in more urban situations, milk, sugar or lemon juice.
Vegetable or sauce
These terms are used for the dishes that are the main accompaniment to the sta-
ple, usually vegetables, including the wild leafy plants described in this book.
The are often cooked with a base of fried onions and tomatoes or the addition
of legumes and pulses, e.g. pounded groundnuts or simsim, and coconut
milk. Depending on affordability and availability, meat, whether from do-
mestic animals or wild game, as well as fish (fresh, dried or smoked) and
insects, e.g. grasshoppers and termites, may be used in varying proportions.
Snacks
Any relatively small amount of food eaten between main meals, e.g. fruit, nuts, a
drink, roasted seeds or root crops, is regarded as a snack. Snacks increase the
variety of foods eaten and improve the individual’s nutrition. This is crucial in
Tanzania because, for example, traditionally fruits and nuts many not often be
part of a main meal.
Snack foods are especially important for children since children need to eat
more frequently than adults, and wild fruits and nuts are good sources of the
micronutrients that may be deficient in the common cereal-based diets. Among
pastoral peoples in the semi-arid areas of Tanzania, or more widely during
famine, some of these so-called “snack” foods may become the only food avail-
able and consequently at such times fulfil a much more substantial role in
the daily diet.
Oil foods
These are foods from which oil can be obtained either by extraction or direct con-
sumption, e.g. groundnuts, sesame seeds (simsim), wild kapok seeds, oil palm ker-
nels and sunflower seed. Oils provide concentrated energy in the diet and
enhance palatability.
4
INTRODUCTION
Tenderizers
Many of the plants are used as tenderizing agents. The leaves may be cooked
together with other leafy vegetables to soften them during cooking. Alterna-
tively, other parts of the plants are burnt to obtain ash which is also used to
tenderize other vegetables, to hasten the cooking of dry pulses or as a sub-
stitute for common salt.
Juices
As a snack the juice is sucked from many fruit picked in the wild. Also the
pulp of many ripe fruit may be soaked in water, squeezed or mashed, filtered
and sugar added to make larger quantities of juice for consumption in the
home or for sale. These juices supply vitamin C and energy.
Famine food
Many of the plants in this book are listed as famine foods. In these cases, leaves,
roots or tubers, for example, may all be eaten on occasions but the term implies
that they are only used when other more favoured alternatives are unavailable.
5
INTRODUCTION
tent is the highest of all the exotic vegetables. Some wild fruits such as Adansonia
digitata, Annona senegalensis and Parinari curatellifolia are high in protein and
fat. Furthermore, the fruit of Adansonia digitata and Ximenia caffra have a higher
vitamin C content than mango (Mangifera indica) or orange (Citrus sinensis).
6
INTRODUCTION
that extension officers, village leaders, district and group leaders may use it to
help them take an active role in the promotion and use of wild food plants and
dissemination of information about them to their communities. Moreover, it is hoped
that this book will prove useful to students, foresters, horticulturists, botanists,
primary and secondary school teachers, college and university lectures and re-
searchers.
7
INTRODUCTION
8
INTRODUCTION
Suggested activities
The workshop held in Iringa in November 2000 to review the draft of this book
was attended by many resource persons representing various disciplines (Appen-
dix II). The participants made the following recommendations for the promotion of
wild food plants in Tanzania:
• More exploration and studies of edible and medicinal plants should be carried
out throughout Tanzania and documented;
• Propagation and domestication of wild food plants and medicinal plants should
be started through efforts of the government, NGOs and women’s groups;
• Knowledge about wild food and medicinal plants should be taught in villages,
schools, colleges and universities;
• Pamphlets, booklets and newspapers on food plants should be produced so that
people can be more exposed to current local knowledge;
• Wild food plants that provide food during periods of food scarcity or famine
should be particularly promoted for planting in farmlands in order to improve
household food security;
• More research should be carried out on the nutritional and medicinal properties
of wild plants;
• People should be encouraged to protect and conserve wild food plants in their
farmlands;
• People should be encouraged to retain some natural vegetation during land
preparation (in situ conservation).
• Information about wild food and medicinal plants should also be disseminated
through the media and at workshops, seminars and exhibitions;
• Valued traditional foods from the wild, for example those eaten during special
occasions, should be studied and their continued use encouraged.
9
INTRODUCTION
10
GLOSSARY
11
GLOSSARY
12
GLOSSARY
13
GLOSSARY
14
GLOSSARY
15
GLOSSARY
16
LOCAL NAMES
PART I
LOCAL NAMES
17
LOCAL NAMES
18
LOCAL NAMES
Local names
Arusha
Emotoo Azanza garckeana Olpiroo Phoenix reclinata
Emusigiloi Rhus longipes Oluisuki Zanthoxylum chalybeum
Engirusha Opilia amentacea var. chalybeum
Engokiki Ormocarpum kirkii Orimigomi Pappea capensis
Engumi Vangueria infausta subsp. Ormisigiyoi Rhus natalensis
rotundata Oseki Cordia monoica
Engumi Vangueria Osilalei Commiphora africana
madagascariensis Ositeti Grewia mollis
Engumi Vangueria volkensii
Eravande Lannea schweinfurthii var. Barabaig
stuhlmannii
Aantsi Ficus sycomorus
Loshoro Vangueria infausta subsp.
Babaxchet Vangueria infausta subsp.
rotundata
rotundata
Loshoro Vangueria
Babaxchet Vangueria
madagascariensis
madagascariensis
Masera Adansonia digitata
Barangu Vangueria infausta subsp.
Mesera Adansonia digitata
rotundata
Oldadai Abutilon mauritianum
Barangu Vangueria
Oldaoboi Kigelia africana
madagascariensis
Olkilili Ficus stuhlmannii
Ganyamda Balanites aegyptiaca
Olkloriti Acacia nilotica
Geta-da-qwal Syzygium guineense
Olmadanyi Vangueria infausta subsp.
Getakhubay Osyris lanceolata
rotundata
Hawi Balanites aegyptiaca
Olmadanyi Vangueria
Maanyangu Ximenia caffra
madagascariensis
Mahhahhari Dovyalis abyssinica
Olmadanyi Vangueria volkensii
Malharimo Vangueria infausta subsp.
Olmang’wai Sclerocarya birrea subsp.
rotundata
caffra
Malharimog Vangueria infausta subsp.
Olmangulai Grewia villosa
rotundata
Olmangulai-
Malharimog Vangueria
oloingoni Grewia platyclada
madagascariensis
Olmasambrai Tamarindus indica
Millan Phoenix reclinata
Olmkoma Grewia similis
Naamo Commiphora africana
Olngaboli Ficus sycomorus
Qach Carissa edulis
Olngoswa Balanites aegyptiaca
Segedid Myrsine africana
Oloilali Ziziphus mucronata
Sirong Rhus longipes
subsp. mucronata
19
LOCAL NAMES
20
LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
22
LOCAL NAMES
23
LOCAL NAMES
24
LOCAL NAMES
25
LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
40
LOCAL NAMES
41
LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
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LOCAL NAMES
65
LOCAL NAMES
66
THE SPECIES
PART II
THE SPECIES
67
THE SPECIES
68
THE SPECIES
69
THE SPECIES
70
THE SPECIES
Fruiting heads
(mericarps)
71
THE SPECIES
72
THE SPECIES
Fruiting head
(mericarps)
73
THE SPECIES
74
THE SPECIES
Subsp. indica
Subsp. subalata
Subsp. leiocarpa
Thorns
Pods of three subspecies
75
THE SPECIES
76
THE SPECIES
Thorns
Fruit pods
77
THE SPECIES
78
THE SPECIES
Male flowers
Bracts and
female flowers
79
THE SPECIES
SEASON: Leaves are collected during the rainy season between December and May.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated or protected by the local
people.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: A very variable species with at least three varieties in Tanzania: var.
fruticosa found in lake, northern and coastal parts of Tanzania; var. villosa
found around Lake Victoria, Tanga, Mbeya and on Zanzibar; and var.
eglandulosa which is common in most parts of Tanzania except central and
southern parts. An invasive weed in some parts of Tanzania.
80
THE SPECIES
81
THE SPECIES
82
THE SPECIES
83
THE SPECIES
84
THE SPECIES
Fruit capsule
Flowering stem
85
THE SPECIES
86
THE SPECIES
87
THE SPECIES
88
THE SPECIES
Flower head
Fruit
89
THE SPECIES
90
THE SPECIES
Flower heads
Fruit
91
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Arusha: Masera, Mesera; Bondei: Mbuyu; Chagga: Mkuu; Digo:
Mbuyu; English: Baobab; Gogo: Mpela; Gorowa: Dakaumo; Hehe: Mkondo;
Iraqw: Gendaryandi; Luguru: Mpela; Maasai: Olmesera; Mbugwe: Muwiye,
Mwiwiye, Mwuwiye; Nyamwezi: Mpela; Nyasa: Mabuyu, Malembe; Pare:
Mramba; Rangi: Mwiwi; Sambaa: Tebwe; Sandawi: Gele; Sangu: Mkondo;
Sukuma: Mwandu, Ngwandu, Ng’wandu; Swahili: Mbuyu, Mkuu hafungwa,
Mkuu hapingwa, Muuyu.
DESCRIPTION: A large deciduous tree, the trunk diameter may reach 8 m and the
tree is often 20 m high. Bare up to 9 months, the stiff bare branches resemble
roots (“upside-down tree”). The trunk is sometimes hollow. LEAVES: Mature
leaves with up to 9 lobes arranged like the fingers of a hand. FLOWERS:
Large and white opening at night; the unpleasant-smelling nectar attracts
pollinating fruit bats. FRUIT: Hairy, yellow-brown, very big capsules hang
on long stalks on the bare tree. About 100 seeds lie in white-pink dry pulp.
ECOLOGY: Coastal woodlands, bushlands and wooded grasslands, sometimes a
riverine tree. Grows in well-drained soils, 0–1,300 m.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in Tanzania and generally in tropical Africa south of
the Sahara and also in Madagascar.
USES:
Food:
– The leaves and/or flowers are collected, chopped and boiled, sometimes
pounded groundnuts added, and served with a staple.
– The fruit pulp, which is obtained after breaking the hard shell, is eaten as a
snack by herdsmen and many people in Tanzania.
– The fruit pulp is soaked in water, pounded, filtered and cooked with por-
ridge (Gogo). The filtered juice of the fruit pulp, with some sugar added, can
be drunk hot or cold. Or the sweetened juice is frozen in small polythene
packets and used as an iced lollipop where refrigeration is available.
– Seeds are cooked and eaten.whole or roasted, pounded and added to
vegetables, like sunflower seed.
Medicinal:
– Leaves are pounded, soaked in water and the infusion used as a remedy for
stomach-ache, fever, diarrhoea, filariasis, intestinal worms, wounds, asthma,
eye and ear diseases, and also as an expectorant, astringent and diuretic.
– The bark is used for treating menstrual problems, diarrhoea, scorpion bites,
coughs, diabetes, anaemia; also an antidote to a variety of ingested poisons.
– Roots are used to treat fatigue.
Commercial: The fruit and fruit pulp are sold in township markets.
Other: The bark is used for fibre and the tree for shade and planted as an
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THE SPECIES
Flower
Leafy shoot
Fruit capsule
93
THE SPECIES
94
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Buds
Flowers
Fruit capsules
Tendril
A. racemosa
Tendril
Fruit capsule
95
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Bondei: Tebwa; Digo: Chivwa kuku, Tebwe; Hehe: Kaganza ka
mwana, Nyakaganza ka mwana; Maasai: Ediati-ormwaate, Eleturot;
Nyamwezi: Kaganza ka mwana; Sambaa: Kidelele, Paramoyo, Tebwa;
Sukuma: Luwecha; Swahili: Kinonga.
DESCRIPTION: A trailing or erect woody herb or shrub to 1 m with rather few branches,
quite distinctive due to the white woolly hairs. LEAVES: Usually alternate,
sometimes opposite on the lower part of the stem, stalkless, spoon shaped,
long-oval or wider at the tip, covered with grey-white hairs, to 2 cm long.
FLOWERS: Tiny yellow-white flowers grow on axillary, stalkless spikes,
usually 1–3 together, only 8 mm long, the tiny flowers have no sepals but stiff
papery sepals, bracts have dense woolly hairs. FRUIT: Tiny, 1-seeded cap-
sules.
ECOLOGY: This plant grows in a great variety of habitats, from cultivated and dis-
turbed ground to open woodland, bushland, grassland, swamp and forest edges,
on open lava screes, boulder-covered hillsides or coastal sands, 0–2,000 m.
DISTRIBUTION: A common plant in all parts of Tanzania, from the coast to the high-
lands. Widespread in the drier parts of both tropics and subtropics, common
throughout eastern Africa; extending from Sierra Leone to Egypt, south to South
Africa, eastwards through the Arabian peninsular into Asia, the Philippines
and New Guinea.
USES:
Food:
Leaves are eaten as a vegetable. They are collected, chopped and boiled
alone or mixed with other vegetables such as mnavu (Solanum nigrum),
peas or mgagani (Cleome gynandra) and served with a staple such as ugali,
rice or bananas. Sometimes tomatoes, onions, coconut juice or pounded nuts
of Telfairia pedata (oyster nut; Swahili: kweme) or groundnut paste may be
added to make the sauce more palatable (Bondei, Digo, Hehe, Sambaa, Zigua).
Medicinal:
– The leaves are crushed and the juice is applied to sore eyes.
– Roots are used for treating snakebite and constipation (Bondei, Zigua).
Commercial: Usually not marketed.
Other: Used for ornamental purposes and fodder.
SEASON: Leaves are collected during the rainy season.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated or protected by local peo-
ple. Propagated easily from seed.
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THE SPECIES
Flowering shoot
97
THE SPECIES
98
THE SPECIES
Flowering stem
One female flower enlarged
99
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Bondei: Msamaka; English: Wild cardamom; Ha: Itungulu; Haya:
Omushaasha; Hehe: Mtweve; Luguru: Gobeni; Matengo: Matungula;
Sambaa: Msamaka; Swahili: Mtuguu, Mtunguru, Tungulu, Tunguru; Zigua:
Samaka.
DESCRIPTION: A herb, 1.5–4 m, growing in dense stands, with erect leafy shoots,
the “stem” consisting of long tubular, sheathing leaf bases. Leaves arise in two
ranks from underground rhizomes (often fleshy, aromatic, or rich in oils; one
member of the family is ginger). In this species the rhizomes, up to 15 mm
across, are extensive and covered with stiff red-brown scales to 7 cm long.
LEAVES: Leaf blades slightly pleated, about 40 cm x 12 cm, tip suddenly
narrowed to a point, leaf base slightly asymmetrical. A small outgrowth where
the blade grows out from the leaf sheath, the ligule, is tough, rounded, 4–10
mm long. FLOWERS: Thick flower stalks, 30–70 cm, emerge from the
base of the leafy shoot; 4–10 large flowers grow in a head of overlapping
bracts about 6 cm across. The unusual flowers are very striking, red-maroon-
yellow-pink. A boat-shaped calyx, 3–4 cm, splits on one side. Each flower has
a hooded or concave red-maroon petal, 4 cm x 2 cm, 2 narrow pale pink lateral
petals, and a yellow-orange lower lip (labellum), about 7 cm long x 4 cm
across, which curls under. A central filament ends in a triangular lobe and
bears 2 anther lobes of the single fertile stamen. A thin style passes between
these lobes to end in a trumpet-shaped stigma. FRUIT: A tough orange-red-
black berry with a smooth fleshy wall, round to oval, 7–9 cm including the
calyx beak, 3 cm across. Oval dark brown seeds, hard and smooth, surrounded
by masses of white sweet-acid pulp inside 3 membranes.
ECOLOGY: Common in moist areas in forest undergrowth, in riverine vegetation or
at swamp edges. Does well at medium altitudes, 1,000–1,700 m; rainfall 900–
2,200 mm. Adaptable to various soil types, but does well in sandy clay loams
and sandy loams.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in tropical Africa from the Sudan south to Mozambique
and Madagascar. In Tanzania it is common in moist areas at suitable altitudes.
USES:
Food:
The ripe fruit are collected and the sugary pulp eaten frequently as a snack.
It is sweet and liked by all, but particularly by children. Crushed seeds are
used as a substitute for pepper (Zigua).
Medicinal: Crushed seeds are boiled with roots of Piper capensis and drunk as
an aphrodisiac (Sambaa, Bondei).
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: Ornamental.
100
THE SPECIES
Fruit head
Ligule
Fruit section
Complex flower
101
THE SPECIES
102
THE SPECIES
A. mala
Fruit capsules
103
THE SPECIES
104
THE SPECIES
105
THE SPECIES
106
THE SPECIES
107
THE SPECIES
108
THE SPECIES
Flowering spike
Habit
Bracts
Fruit capsule
Tubular flowers
109
THE SPECIES
110
THE SPECIES
Enlarged flower
Flowering branch
Enlarged fruit
111
THE SPECIES
112
THE SPECIES
Swollen stems
113
THE SPECIES
114
THE SPECIES
MANAGEMENT: Usually collected from the wild but sometimes protected by local peo-
ple around their homesteads.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: It is easily collected while young, i.e. before development of the spines.
An important source of vitamins (e.g. A and C). Also rich in minerals, e.g. iron
and calcium.
Flower spikes
Spines
115
THE SPECIES
116
THE SPECIES
Ripe fruit
Fruiting branch
117
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Digo: Mbooya, Vibooya, Vitoria; Swahili: Mtoria, Mtowe; Sambaa:
Vitoria.
DESCRIPTION: An evergreen liana, climbing with tendrils, 2–12 m. Tendrils are
present at forks of branches (flower branches in origin which turn into woody
hooks). LEAVES: Opposite, simple, long-oval, 5–12 cm to 6 cm wide, tip pointed
or blunt, the base rounded to a short stalk, some hairs which disappear with
age. Secondary veins 5–20 mm apart. FLOWERS: A long terminal branched
head bears fragrant cream-white-yellow tubular flowers, “star-like”, about 3
cm across, the 5 narrow pointed lobes 1–2 cm, fringed with hairs. Flowers
open in the evening. A green calyx with brown hairs surrounds the pink tubu-
lar bud. FRUIT: Rounded to pear shaped, grey-green at first, ripening dull
yellow-orange, 3–5 cm across with short soft hairs, containing about 12
seeds, each 1 cm covered in sticky edible pulp.
ECOLOGY: A climber found in open bushland or woodland, coastal evergreen forest,
dry forest, 0–400 m.
DISTRIBUTION: Most lowland parts of Tanzania. Common in Pemba, Zanzibar and
Mafia Islands. Also found in Kenya and Somalia, and south to Mozambique,
Zambia and South Africa.
USES:
Food:
– The pulp of ripe fruit is edible. They are collected from the vines or fresh
fallen fruit are collected from the ground and eaten raw. The pulp is ob-
tained by cutting the fruit in half. The juicy pulp has a sour taste and only
moderate amounts are eaten (Bondei, Zigua, Zaramo).
– The pulp of the fruit is soaked in water, squeezed and filtered. The juice is
then sweetened with sugar and drunk after being cooled. Alternatively, the
sweetened juice may be packed in small polythene packets, frozen and eaten
as an iced lollipop (Bondei, Zaramo).
Commercial: Fruit are sold in most rural and urban markets for juice making
(Bondei, Digo, Zaramo).
Other: The stem produces white latex, which is tapped and used for making
balls and birdlime (Bondei, Digo). The stems are flexible and used for ropes.
SEASON: Fruit are collected in April and June and again in November and Decem-
ber (Coastal areas).
STORAGE: Fruit can only be stored for about two weeks.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild, but often protected by local people in
118
THE SPECIES
steads and fields. It regenerates easily from root suckers. Can also be propagated
from seeds.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.
Opposite leaves
Tendril
Fruit
119
THE SPECIES
120
THE SPECIES
Flowering branch
with young fruit
Mature fruit
Seeds
121
THE SPECIES
122
THE SPECIES
Flowering head
Fruiting branch
123
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124
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Other: The wood is used for firewood, tool handles, and wooden spoons. The
tree is suitable for shade and as an ornamental.
SEASON: Fruit are collected from August to December, at the end of late rains.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not protected or cultivated by local peo-
ple. Seeds are difficult to germinate but the tree easily regenerates by coppice
shoots and root suckers.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: This species has a potential for domestication.
Fruiting branch
Flowering branch
One flower
125
THE SPECIES
126
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit
127
THE SPECIES
128
THE SPECIES
SEASON: Fruit are collected during and after the rainy season.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated or protected by the local
people. Easily propagated by seed, and also produces root suckers.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: Roots are believed to be poisonous (Nyamwezi). An invasive weed in
fallows.
Leaves
129
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130
THE SPECIES
REMARKS: Frequently planted as an ornamental. The food uses of this plant are not
known by many people even in areas where it occurs commonly. The young
shoots which grow out of the woody root crown just below the surface of the soil
are eaten (as in the cultivated asparagus species).
Flowers
Zigzag section of
older twisted stem
Fruit
Leaf-like needles
(cladodes), straight or
curved
Recurved spines
131
THE SPECIES
132
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Groups of flowers
Recurved spines
Fruit
Fruiting stem
133
THE SPECIES
SEASON: Leaves and young stems are collected in the early rainy season.
STORAGE: The leaves are sometimes dried for storage before or after being steamed
(Zigua, Hehe).
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated or protected by local peo-
ple. Easily propagated by seed.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: A serious weed.
134
THE SPECIES
Fruit capsules
Flowering shoot
135
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Bondei: Tikini; Pare: Ikobito; Sambaa: Tikini; Zigua: Tikini.
DESCRIPTION: An erect annual plant, or later scrambling on the ground, shortly
hairy. LEAVES: In opposite pairs, oval, the tip often wider. FLOWERS: In a
short terminal spike, each flower stalkless and almost enclosed in a green
bract. Bracts are well pointed, longer and wider than the 5 sepals. The
tubular white flower, 1.5 cm, has 5 petal lobes, 2 above and 3 below, the lower
centre lobe has green veins, the outer lobes brown ones. The throat may be
green spotted. FRUIT: A capsule about 2 cm long with tiny glands, contain-
ing 1–4 angular or toothed seeds.
ECOLOGY: Occurs at forest edges and thickets and in secondary regrowth after
cultivation or other disturbance of the soil. Often a weed in arable land or along
paths. Abundant at altitudes up to 2,200 m; rainfall 1,000–2,100 mm. Toler-
ates a wide range of soil types.
DISTRIBUTION: Found in all parts of Tanzania except Mbeya, Iringa and Songea
Regions. Also found in Ethiopia, Somalia, southern Sudan and in the Congo
basin.
USES:
Food:
– Leaves and young shoots are eaten as a vegetable.
– The leaves are collected, boiled alone or mixed with other vegetables such as
cowpeas or mnavu (Solanum nigrum). The leaves can also be mixed with
tomatoes, onions, coconut milk, pounded oyster nuts (Telfairia pedata) or
groundnuts and served with a staple food—ugali, rice, bananas or potatoes
(Bondei, Sambaa, Zigua).
Commercial: Sold locally.
Other: Ornamental and fodder.
SEASON: It is mainly collected in the early rainy season since it is one of the first
plants to grow after the start of the rains.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not protected or cultivated by local peo-
ple.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: Regarded as a weed in cultivated areas.
136
THE SPECIES
Bracts
Fruiting shoot
Flowering shoot
137
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Arusha: Emotoo; Bena: Mtowo; Bende: Mtobo; English: Snot ap-
ple, Tree hibiscus; Gogo: Mtoyo; Gorowa: Thogi, Tlaghay; Hehe: Mtowo;
Kimbu: Mutogo; Maasai: Emoloo, Olmatawayu, Olmotoo; Mbugwe: Mutogo;
Ngindo: Mtobo; Nyamwezi: Mtowo; Nyasa: Mtoo; Nyaturu: Mutrogho;
Nyiramba: Mtogho; Pare: Mtakataka; Rangi: Matua, Matwa, Mchagai, Mchai,
Msembere, Mtowo, Mtula, Mtwa, Muchagai, Mutwa; Sandawi: Dong, Xaxabo;
Swahili: Mnduwe, Mwatata; Tongwe: Mtobo.
DESCRIPTION: A deciduous tree, 3–8 m, with rounded crown. BARK: Brown rough,
branchlets have woolly hairs. LEAVES: Simple, alternate, distinctively
rounded, 8 x 12 cm, long stalks, 3–5 lobes, rough hairs above, soft below.
FLOWERS: Large, showy, single, yellow, turning red-orange, petals over-
lap and do not open. FRUIT: Rounded and woody, 2–8 cm, 4–5 parts, yel-
low-brown and hairy, the whole fruit except the seed eaten for the sweet sticky
flesh.
ECOLOGY: Common from low to higher altitudes as a scattered tree in several types
of woodland; also on termite mounds.
DISTRIBUTION: Found in Africa, from the Sudan to southern Africa. Common all
over Tanzania.
USES:
Food:
– The ripe fruit are collected and the thick carpels separated from the fruit
and eaten. They are sweet but glutinous and are much favoured by herds-
men (Gogo, Hehe, Nyamwezi, Nyiramba, Nyaturu).
– The dry fruit may be cooked and eaten in large quantities during famine
and peak farming periods (Gogo, Hehe).
Medicinal: Roots are boiled and drunk to treat infertility and constipation.
Commercial: It is sold in local markets in many towns in Tanzania (Bena,
Gogo, Hehe, Nyamwezi).
Other: The wood is used for timber, firewood, spoons, poles, carvings, combs,
bows and tool handles. The tree is also used as an ornamental (Gogo, Hehe,
Nyamwezi, Zigua).
SEASON: Fruit are collected during the dry season, usually from May to November.
STORAGE: The fruit are boiled with a little salt, dried in the sun and stored for about
four months.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated by local people, but occa-
sionally protected in the farms and around homesteads. Fast growing and eas-
ily raised by seed.
138
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Young fruit
Root suckers
139
THE SPECIES
140
THE SPECIES
fencing, nails for native drums and carvings. The tree is also an important
source of bee forage.
SEASON: Fruit are collected between April and June.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and often protected by local people in home-
steads, fields and at trading centres. Regenerates easily from root suckers and
can be propagated by seed.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.
Enlarged flower
Thorns
Young flowers and fruit
Mature fruit
141
THE SPECIES
142
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Thorn
Fruit
143
THE SPECIES
144
THE SPECIES
Flower clusters
Inner stone
Fruit
Forked spines
145
THE SPECIES
146
THE SPECIES
Flower
147
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: English: Bird plum, Brown ivory, Wild almond; Gogo: Mgandu;
Hehe: Mgandu; Luguru: Nyahumbu; Matengo: Njerenje; Ngindo:
Mkelienge; Nyamwezi: Mkuni; Sandawi: Okoo, Ooko, Thokoi; Swahili: Mkulu,
Mnago; Yao: Njerenje.
DESCRIPTION: A semi-deciduous shrub or tall tree to 18 m with erect spreading
branches making a heavy rounded crown. BARK: Grey-black, cracking and
scaly, corky spots on young greenish branches. LEAVES: Simple, alternate,
shiny dark green, sticky when young, oval, to 11 cm, lateral nerves
making a clear pattern. FLOWERS: Small yellow-green, stalked, in loose
clusters, attracting bees. FRUIT: Date-like, yellow, about 2 cm long with 1–
2 flat seeds in sweet edible flesh.
ECOLOGY: Found in wooded grassland and open woodland, especially on termite
mounds. Also occurs along river valleys. Widely spread in miombo woodlands,
0–2,000 m.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in Tanzania, e.g. Tabora, Dodoma and Morogoro Re-
gions; Yemen, Ethiopia, Somalia, south to Angola, Namibia, South Africa and
Madagascar.
USES:
Food:
– Fruit are edible. The ripe fruit are usually collected from the tree and eaten
raw, but fallen fruit which are sound can also be collected and eaten. They
are sweet and very much favoured by children, herdsmen and farmers to
assuage hunger (Gogo, Hehe, Nyamwezi).
– Ripe fruit can be soaked in water, squeezed and the juice drunk or used for
making porridge (Gogo).
Commercial: Fruit are occasionally sold in local markets because the trees are
not easily accessible.
Other: The wood is used for timber, tool handles, pestles, fuel, poles and
gunstocks. The ash from burnt wood is used to produce a substitute for white-
wash (Nyamwezi). Ash is mixed with water, the liquid filtered and used as a
tenderizer for vegetables.
SEASON: Fruit are collected in March–April; in Iringa in November–December.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated, but sometimes retained
in farms and homesteads. It can be propagated by seed and root suckers.
STATUS: Common in its area of distribution.
REMARKS: Fast growing and a suitable species for agroforestry.
148
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Leafy shoot
149
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150
THE SPECIES
Fruiting head
Disk florets
151
THE SPECIES
152
THE SPECIES
8 ray florets
153
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: English: East African cotton tree, Wild kapok tree; Matengo:
Mkaranga mti; Mwera: Mng’uma; Ngindo: Msufi pori; Nguu: Mwale;
Nyakyusa: Msyavala; Rufiji: Mfuma; Sambaa: Mfuma, Mwale; Swahili:
Mkaranga mti, Msufi mwitu; Zigua: Mwali.
DESCRIPTION: A tall tree to 36 m with a straight bole and medium crown. BARK:
Yellow-green, smooth. LEAVES: Compound, with 3–7 leaflets like fin-
gers of a hand, each to 4 cm long. FLOWERS: 5 petals, pale yellow, red or
white, numerous anthers with red stamens; calyx bell shaped. FRUIT: Oval
brown woody capsule about 6 x 3 cm, which splits open to set free many
seeds in dark red-brown fluffy kapok.
ECOLOGY: Found in woodland and riverine forest, 600–1,100 m.
DISTRIBUTION: In Tanzania it is known from Mbeya Region. Also occurs in Mozam-
bique.
USES:
Food:
– Seeds are roasted and eaten like groundnuts.
– Seeds are roasted, pounded and the powder used for cooking with vegetables
or meat.
Medicinal: The bark is used as medicine to treat diarrhoea (Sambaa). Leaves
and roots are also used as a charm against witchcraft.
Commercial: Seeds are sold in local markets.
Other:
The wood is soft and is used for timber, plywood and pulp. The bark produces
fibre and a red dye. Fluffy kapok surrounding the seeds is used to stuff pil-
lows and mattresses. The tree is used for shade and as an avenue tree.
SEASON: Fruit mature from October to December.
STORAGE: Seeds can be stored for about four months but are susceptible to fungal
and insect damage.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild, but also cultivated in some areas of Mbeya
and Ruvuma Regions. Generally, female plants are protected by local people.
Easily propagated by seed.
STATUS: Natural and domesticated.
REMARKS: This species has been introduced to other areas of Tanzania, e.g. Ruvuma
Region. There is a second variety, var. rhodognaphalon, which occurs in low-
land rainforests, especially along the coast. Its uses are similar to those of var.
tomentosa.
154
THE SPECIES
Leafy shoot
Seed
Segment of split
capsule
Kapok and seed
155
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Bondei: Mvuma; Digo: Dzova, Mvumo, Ngolokolo (fruit); English:
African fan palm, Borassus palm, Debeb palm, Palmyra palm; Nyamwezi:
Mhama, Muhama; Nyaturu: Mfama; Nyiramba: Mpama; Sambaa: Vumo;
Sukuma: Muhama; Swahili: Mchapa, Mtapa, Mvuma; Ngindo: Mvumo.
DESCRIPTION: A straight tall palm to 20 m with a swollen bole. TRUNK: Smooth
grey, thickened above the middle, dead leaves remain on the young trunk,
old trunks up to 80 cm across. LEAVES: Large, fan shaped, to 4 m long x 3 m
across, deeply divided into leaflets, thorny at the base. FLOWERS: Male and
female on different trees, male producing branched spikes up to 2 m carrying
the pollen. FRUIT: Large, in bunches, round, up to 15 cm diameter, orange-
brown, in the enlarged calyx cup, fibrous oily pulp around 3 seeds, each 8 cm
brown, woody. (A fruit cluster may weigh 25–50 kg; one ripe fruit weighed 1.3
kg—see illustration.)
ECOLOGY: Found where the water-table is high in wooded savanna grassland. It is
usually found in sandy soil and in floodplains in dense stands, 0–1,200 m;
rainfall 900–1,400 mm.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread throughout the less dry areas of tropical Africa. Found
in all parts of Tanzania except Arusha and Kilimanjaro.
USES:
Food:
– Fruit are edible. The ripe fallen fruit are collected, peeled and the juicy pulp
is squeezed in water to form a solution which is added to porridge during
cooking to improve the flavour (Nyamwezi, Nyiramba).
– The fruit are collected and the pulp eaten in small amounts as a snack. It is
slightly sweet, but with a mild turpentine-like flavour (Nyamwezi, Nyiramba).
– The tip of the trunk is cut and excavated so that a bowl-shaped depression is
made where sap accumulates. The sap is then collected and slightly fer-
mented into a refreshing drink.
Commercial: Fruit are sold on the roadside and in open markets.
Other: Provides good timber for off-ground construction purposes and is also
used for beehives. Leaves are used to make mats and baskets.
SEASON: Fruit are collected when they fall in July–December.
STORAGE: Fruit can be stored in the ground for 2–3 months.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild. Generally, female plants are protected by
local people. It can be propagated using fresh seed.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: The tree takes 10–15 years to produce fruit.
156
THE SPECIES
Leaf
157
THE SPECIES
158
THE SPECIES
Flowering shoot
159
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Bondei: Mwiza; Chagga: Marie, Monde, Mwaru; Fipa: Mlangali,
Munyamaji; Haya: Mshamako, Mshumako, Mukuwe, Mushamako, Omukuwe,
Omusha mako; Hehe: Mpalang’anga, Mwesa; Iraqw: Intsalmo, Isalmo;
Luguru: Msumba, Mwiza; Matengo: Mayenda, Mnyenda, Myenda; Nguu:
Mkolakole; Nyakyusa: Mwisya; Nyiha: Munyeraminu, Munyeraminzi,
Sengamino; Pare: Mwira; Sambaa: Muiza, Mwiza; Swahili: Mkarakara,
Mkarati, Mtutu; Tongwe: Kamembe; Zaramo: Mkarangatanga; Zigua:
Mweza, Mwiza; Zinza: Msamiko.
DESCRIPTION: A medium-sized leafy evergreen tree with dense spreading crown,
to 13 m. BARK: Grey-brown, flaking with age, young stems zigzag, dotted with
paler breathing pores. LEAVES: Appear compound but actually alternate along
branches, dark shiny green above, about 12 cm long, veins parallel, ex-
tending along margin, leaf stalks slightly hairy. FLOWERS: Small and yel-
lowish, bunched in leaf axils, male and female flowers on different trees.
FRUIT: Soft, purple-black, oval, up to 8 mm, sweet and edible when ripe.
ECOLOGY: Found in forests by rivers, forest edges or open woodland, 0–2,200 m. It
does well in a wide variety of climates.
DISTRIBUTION: Found in all parts of Tanzania, including Zanzibar and Pemba Is-
lands. Also widespread in the rest of Africa from Senegal eastwards to Ethiopia
and southwards to South Africa; also in Reunion.
USES:
Food:
Fruit are edible. Ripe fruit are collected from the tree and eaten. They are
much eaten by children and herdsmen in order to quench hunger and thirst
(Bondei, Pare, Sambaa, Zigua).
Medicinal:
– The bark is used as medicine to treat stomach-ache, diarrhoea, dysentery
and intestinal worms (Maasai).
– Roots are used to treat allergy, STDs, headache and prolapsed rectum
(Sambaa).
– The bark is mixed with soup and given to children as a tonic (Maasai, Pare).
– The leaf sap is used to treat sore eyes.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The wood is used for timber, poles, firewood, grain mortars, spoons, tool
handles and charcoal. Leaves are used for fodder for goats. The tree is used
for shade and is a source of bee forage. The bark produces a red dye.
SEASON: Fruit are collected during and at the end of the rainy season.
STORAGE: Not stored.
160
THE SPECIES
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild, but also from people’s farms where it is planted
as one of the important agroforestry species. Can be propagated by fresh seed
and root suckers.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: A popular and fast-growing agroforestry species.
Fruit
Marginal veins
161
THE SPECIES
162
THE SPECIES
Flowering branch
Upright pods
Seeds
163
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: English: African canarium; Haya: Mbafu, Mubafu; Swahili: Mbani,
Mpafu; Tongwe: Sigonfi.
DESCRIPTION: A massive deciduous tree to 40 m, the bole often clear to 30 m.
Large branches reach to a spreading rounded umbrella crown. In young
trees branches are whorled at right angles to the trunk and curve up-
wards. The base may have slight blunt buttresses, and overground roots
may spread out to 10 m from the tree base. BARK: Thick and rough,
grey-red-brown, flaking in pieces up to 30 x 10 cm. Young branchlets
hairy red-brown. When cut, the fragrant resin smells of incense. LEAVES:
Odd pinnate, tufted at the ends of branches, usually 6–10 pairs of leaflets plus
1, each with a short stalk, oval to oblong, stiff, long pointed to 15 cm,
base rounded, about 15 pairs side veins, vein network dense below, sur-
face dull green-brown with a few hairs but more hairy below, especially veins.
FLOWERS: Creamy white in axillary sprays to 30 cm long, 3 petals and
a 3-part calyx, funnel shaped with rust-red hairs inside and out. FRUIT:
Smooth and oblong, soft and purple when ripe, 2.5–4.0 cm long. A 3-
ridged stone inside as long as the fruit, eventually splits to release 3 seeds.
ECOLOGY: Common in tropical lowlands and medium-altitude rainforest, thickets
and cultivated land, up to 1,600 m; rainfall 900–2,200 mm. Tolerates a wide
range of soil types, but prefers sandy clay loams and sandy loams.
DISTRIBUTION: Widely distributed from Senegal east to the Sudan, Ethiopia, and
south to Angola and Zambia. In Tanzania it is common around Lake Victoria
and Lake Tanganyika.
USES:
Food:
– The ripe fruit are harvested and immersed in hot water to soften the rind
and flesh and then eaten. Seeds are rejected. They taste similar to olives and
are very popular as a snack among herders and children.
– Fruit are collected and depulped. When dry the inner stone is cracked and
the seed (kernel) eaten (Haya, Tongwe).
Medicinal:
– The leaves are boiled with other herbs and the decoction used to treat coughs.
– The seeds are roasted and pounded and the resulting powder mixed with
skin oil or jelly to treat wounds.
– The bark is boiled and the decoction drunk for treatment of hypertension.
Commercial: Salted fruit are sold in major markets.
Other: The crystallized resin is used as incense that has both cultural and
religious significance. The wood is soft and used for timber, firewood, char-
coal and veneer. The tree is also used as an ornamental and for shade.
164
THE SPECIES
Young fruit
Stone
Buds
Mature fruit
165
THE SPECIES
166
THE SPECIES
Flower clusters
Fruit
167
THE SPECIES
168
THE SPECIES
Enlarged flower
Flowering branch
Young fruit
Flower heads
Seeds
Fruit
169
THE SPECIES
170
THE SPECIES
Enlarged flower
Seeds
Fruit
Lower leaf, hairs in axil
171
THE SPECIES
172
THE SPECIES
Fruit capsules
173
THE SPECIES
174
THE SPECIES
to 5 m with thick spines, usually once- or twice-forked but sometimes simple (to
8 cm long). Small flowers, white and star-like, grow in dense heads, 5 tiny petal
lobes overlap left. Leaves usually oval–round, small and shiny. Fruit usually
red. Widespread in Tanzania, coastal Kenya and southwards to South Africa.
2. Carissa tetramera (Maasai: Olyamliyak; Sambaa: Mkalakala: Swahili:
Mtanda mboo; Zigua: Mkalakala) a shrub or tree to 4 m, with strong spines,
usually forked; leaf shape variable but margins often slightly round toothed or
finely sharp toothed. The small flowers have only 4 lobes, overlap left, fruit
small and black. Found in Tanga, other coastal areas of Tanzania and in Kenya.
C. edulis
Flower
Fruit
Spines
C. tetramera
C. bispinosa
Many forked spines
Flowers
Divided
spines
Fruit
Flowers
175
THE SPECIES
176
THE SPECIES
Flower heads
177
THE SPECIES
178
THE SPECIES
179
THE SPECIES
180
THE SPECIES
Stem section
181
THE SPECIES
182
THE SPECIES
C. schweinfurthiana
C. argentea
183
THE SPECIES
184
THE SPECIES
Flower
Flower opened
Capsule open to
show seeds
Fruit capsule
185
THE SPECIES
186
THE SPECIES
187
THE SPECIES
188
THE SPECIES
189
THE SPECIES
190
THE SPECIES
Dodoma, Singida, Rukwa and Iringa Regions. It is also found in Zambia and in
the Congo basin.
Fruiting branch
Fruit
191
THE SPECIES
192
THE SPECIES
Fruit capsule
193
THE SPECIES
194
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit capsule
195
THE SPECIES
196
THE SPECIES
Tendril
Fruit
Flower
C. adoensis
Fruit
197
THE SPECIES
198
THE SPECIES
Fruiting branch
One flower
199
THE SPECIES
200
THE SPECIES
Stipule
Tubular corolla
201
THE SPECIES
202
THE SPECIES
Leathery capsules
203
THE SPECIES
204
THE SPECIES
Flower head
205
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Bena: Likolovega; Chagga: Ikengera, Mkole; Digo: Dzadza, Hehe:
Likolowoga; Matengo: Ndilia; Sambaa: Nkongo; Swahili: Kongwa.
DESCRIPTION: A very variable small herb growing in open sunny places, stems
trailing along the ground with some erect branches. Thickened fibrous
roots. LEAVES: Simple and alternate, entire, the veins all parallel, the base
sheathing the stem, up to 8 cm long x 2 cm wide. FLOWERS: A folded leafy
green spathe 2.5 cm, contains several yellow flowers growing singly. The
spathe is free to the base. Flowers small, about 8 mm, appearing one at a
time, soon collapsing, 3 petals, 2 large and 1 small. The spathe may have short
white or grey hairs. Sterile stamens “x” shaped. FRUIT: A small capsule con-
tains the seed, often only 1.
ECOLOGY: Secondary regrowth and disturbed areas, a weed on farms. Thrives in
sandy clay loams and sandy loams, up to 1,800 m; rainfall 900–1,900 mm.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in West Africa, east to the Sudan and East Africa and
south to Mozambique.
USES:
Food:
The leaves are collected, chopped and boiled in water or fresh or sour milk.
Simsim or groundnut paste is added. It is eaten with the staple and as a
substitute for more preferred vegetables.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: Leaves are palatable to livestock, especially pigs and rabbits. A source
of bee forage.
SEASON: Leaves are collected in the rainy season.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: It is collected from the wild and not cultivated or protected by local
people.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: It is reported that in South Africa a root decoction is taken as a treatment
for STDs and for menstrual problems. The same preparation is also used for
pelvic pain and bladder complaints.
206
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Spathe
207
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Chagga: Ikengera; Digo: Dzadza, English: Blue commelina; Hehe:
Likolowoga, Ngorowoga; Maasai: Enkaiteteyiai; Pare: Ikongwe; Sambaa:
Mkongo; Swahili: Mpovupovu.
DESCRIPTION: An annual herb, with long creeping succulent stems and ascending
jointed branches, rooting where nodes touch the ground, fibrous roots. LEAVES:
Oval and pointed to 7 cm, the leaf sheath clasping the stem often has reddish
or purple hairs to 3 mm long. Leaves are shortly stalked, oblique at the base.
FLOWERS: Boat-shaped leafy spathes are joined at least at the base, the
angle there less than 90 degrees, spathes crowded at the end of shoots on
stalks to 15 mm long. This spathe contains a clear liquid around the flower
buds. The fragile deep blue flowers have 2 large petals and 1 tiny petal, to
15 mm across, they stand up in the spathes but fade in a few hours. Staminodes
4-lobed. FRUIT: A 5-seeded capsule to 5 mm long contains ovoid seeds.
ECOLOGY: Common in disturbed areas, at forest edges, in homegardens and sec-
ondary regrowth. It does well at medium altitudes, up to 1,600 m; rainfall 1,000–
2,100 mm, but can withstand prolonged drought. Thrives in sandy loams, but
tolerates a wide range of soil types.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in India and Africa. From West Africa to Central and
East Africa and south to southern Africa, including Madagascar. Found in most
low- and medium-altitude areas of Tanzania.
USES:
Food:
Tender leaves and stems are chopped and cooked alone or with other veg-
etables such as Bidens pilosa or Cleome hirta. Then it is served with a staple,
i.e. ugali or rice.
Medicinal:
– The sap is used for treatment of eye ailments, sore throat and burns and
topical application for thrush in infants.
– Leaves are pounded and soaked in warm water and the solution is drunk to
treat diarrhoea.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: Leaves are palatable to livestock, especially pigs and rabbits. Flowers
provide bee forage.
SEASON: Leaves are collected during the early flush of the rainy season.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not protected or cultivated by local peo-
ple. A very serious weed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
208
THE SPECIES
C. benghalensis
C. imberbis
Capsule
C. latifolia
Capsule
209
THE SPECIES
210
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Tiny flowers
211
THE SPECIES
212
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Rootstock
213
THE SPECIES
214
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Seeds
Fruit capsules
215
THE SPECIES
216
THE SPECIES
Leafy threads
Fruit capsules
217
THE SPECIES
218
THE SPECIES
Split capsule
Capsules
C. pseudocapularis
Bristly fruit
219
THE SPECIES
220
THE SPECIES
MANAGEMENT: Only collected from the wild but can be propagated by seed.
STATUS: Locally common.
REMARKS: Known to be cultivated in Mauritius.
Flowers enlarged
Fruit
221
THE SPECIES
222
THE SPECIES
Fruit
223
THE SPECIES
224
THE SPECIES
Ripe fruit
Seed
Flowering branch
Fruit in section
225
THE SPECIES
226
THE SPECIES
One flower
Flower head
Fruit
227
THE SPECIES
228
THE SPECIES
Flower enlarged
Keel petal
Inflated pods
229
THE SPECIES
230
THE SPECIES
Tendrils
231
THE SPECIES
232
THE SPECIES
Mature fruit
Young fruit
Flower
C. aculeatus
233
THE SPECIES
234
THE SPECIES
235
THE SPECIES
236
THE SPECIES
Flowering head
237
THE SPECIES
238
THE SPECIES
Flower head
Tendril
Hairy fruit
239
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Bena: Nyava; English: Crow-foot grass; Hehe: Nyava; Maasai:
Embokwe, Empokui, Enkampa, Porori aja; Ngindo: Kiaga; Nyamwezi: Nsapa;
Sandawi: Helá; Swahili: Kimbugimbugi.
DESCRIPTION: An annual grass, slender to robust, with spreading stems to 70 cm,
usually bent at the nodes, rooting at lower nodes; can form a mat with short
underground stems. LEAVES: Leaf blades flat, soft, bright green, 3–25 cm by
15 mm across, the edges slightly hairy. FLOWERS: The flowers arise on star-
like heads at the tip of stems, 2–8 spikes usually horizontal, one spike
lower than the rest, each one-sided and dense, to 6.5 cm long, ending in
a bare point, spikelets in 2 rows, quite flattened, 3–6 mm, with bristles to 4
mm. FRUIT: The grass grain is about 1 mm long, somewhat triangular.
ECOLOGY: A widespread weed of open situations, grassland, open woodland, com-
mon by roadsides, on waste ground; a weed of arable land, in shallow soils and
can withstand some salinity, 0–2,100 m.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in Tanzania as well as in many other parts of Africa
and other tropical and warm temperate regions; introduced into America.
USES:
Food:
Seeds are used as a famine cereal. The grains are lightly roasted in a hot pot
in order to soften them. The grain is then pounded or ground into flour,
which is cooked into thin porridge (uji), or ugali to be eaten with vegetables
or meat.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The plant is used for fodder.
SEASON: Seeds are collected during the dry season, April–June.
STORAGE: Seeds can be stored for several months.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild, not cultivated. Can be propagated by seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: An important pasture grass.
240
THE SPECIES
Bare tip
241
THE SPECIES
242
THE SPECIES
Bare tip
243
THE SPECIES
244
THE SPECIES
Fruit pod
245
THE SPECIES
246
THE SPECIES
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated, but can easily be propa-
gated by seed.
STATUS: Occasional within its area of distribution.
Fruit
Flower head
247
THE SPECIES
248
THE SPECIES
249
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Gogo: Msele; Gorowa: Aarmo-Desu; Hehe: Mseele; Iraqw: Aare-
desu; Mbugwe: Monterere; Nyamwezi: Mlele; Rangi: Ichoro, Msisiviri,
Mterera; Sandawi: Arange; Swahili: Mfausiku.
DESCRIPTION: A deciduous tree, usually 5–7 m, with a rounded spreading crown,
branches drooping. BARK: Quite conspicuous, smooth and shiny, pale yel-
low to grey-white, sometimes flaking. LEAVES: Twice compound, to 15 cm,
with 2–12 pairs of pinnae, each with 10–25 opposite pairs of leaflets, long
oblong, about 1 cm, dull green with tiny hairs both sides. FLOWERS: Flat
green buds open into showy flowers near tips of branchlets, only one of a
group flowering at a time, 4 white petals over 3 cm long with wavy
cut-up edges and one smaller yellow petal, all fading yellow-orange;
10 red stamens to 10 cm hang out of the flower. FRUIT: Red-brown pods
flat and thin, pointed both ends, about 13–20 cm, contain smooth olive-
brown oblong seeds in horizontal pockets.
ECOLOGY: Found in deciduous thickets and bushland, often in hot dry Acacia–
Commiphora bush and on rocky slopes or by streams or dry river beds, 400–
1,400 m.
DISTRIBUTION: Grows throughout Tanzania except eastern and southern coastal
areas. Found, e.g. between Pare and Usambara and around Mwanza, Same,
Tabora, Kongwa, Dodoma, Kondoa, and Iringa. Also in Uganda, Kenya, the
eastern Congo basin, north into Egypt, Eritrea, the Arabian peninsular and
extending to India.
USES:
Food:
– The leaves are edible. Tender leaves are collected, chopped, cooked and served
with ugali (Gogo, Hehe). Edible fat, groundnut paste, tomatoes and onions
may be added.
– The seeds are boiled and eaten during famine.
Medicinal:
– Roots are ground on a stone with a little water and the paste is put on an
abscess to hasten ripening.
– The bark is soaked in warm water and the resulting liquid is drunk for sev-
eral days to treat bilharzia.
– An infusion from the bark is also used to treat diarrhoea.
– Leaves and twigs are chewed and swallowed to treat mouth ulcers.
– A decoction from boiled roots is used as an antidote for a variety of ingested
poisons.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The wood is used for firewood, tool handles, grain mortars, beer
250
THE SPECIES
containers, milk pots, beehives, clogs, wooden spoons and cups. The tree is
used for shade and live fences and is a source of bee forage. Leaves are used
for fodder.
SEASON: Leaves are collected at the beginning of the rainy season in November–
December.
STORAGE: Roots to be used for medicine can be stored for half a year or so.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild, but also planted and protected by local peo-
ple (Gogo, Hehe). Easily propagated by seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: A common live-fence tree in most areas in Tanzania.
251
THE SPECIES
252
THE SPECIES
Fruiting branch
253
THE SPECIES
254
THE SPECIES
Flower
Pods
Seed
255
THE SPECIES
256
THE SPECIES
Bracts
Flowering stalk
257
THE SPECIES
258
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Flowers
259
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Bondei: Ndiga, Tugu; English: African bitter yam, Cluster yam,
Three-leaved yam; Maasai: Oloibarebare; Matengo: Mpeta; Nyamwezi: Itugu,
Kilumbu; Sambaa: Tugu; Sukuma: Ndiga; Swahili: Kiazi kikuu, Kigongo,
Kikwa, Kinana, Mariga, Ndiga; Tongwe: Lindiga; Zigua: Ndiga.
DESCRIPTION: A climbing yam twining up to 10 m in high bush, hairy with many
prickles. Underground tubers numerous, with short cylindrical lobes about 2.5
cm across, bearing roots, spreading or descending about 30 cm, tubers re-
placed annually. LEAVES: Compound, 3 leaflets, on a main stalk to 20
cm, both hairy and prickly, the central leaflet wider and pointed at the tip,
laterals unequal-sided, on short stalks, paler below with rather long hairs
flat to the surface, usually about 12 cm x 8 cm, 3 nerved from just above
the base. FLOWERS: Small male flowers in dense branched bunches of spikelets
beside leaves. Female flowers arise from a slender hanging spike 5–10 cm.
FRUIT: A sparsely hairy capsule to 4 cm long, seeds about 2 cm with one
wing at the base.
ECOLOGY: It grows on the edges of lowland rainforest, dry evergreen forests, ever-
green bushland, and on termite mounds in Brachystegia woodland, persisting
in plantations, in secondary thickets as well as grasslands, 0–1,700 m.
DISTRIBUTION: This plant is widespread in Tanzania but not found in the northern
and central areas. Also in coastal Kenya; much of Uganda, Senegal to Ethiopia
and south to Angola, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.
USES:
Food:
– Tubers, which are produced underground, are eaten as famine food. They
are collected, peeled, cut into small pieces and soaked overnight to remove
toxic substances before being cooked.
– Alternatively, tubers are peeled and soaked in water for several days. Then
they are washed, sliced and dried in the sun. The dried slices are pounded
into flour and used for uji or ugali (Bondei, Zaramo).
Medicinal: The powder obtained from dried and pounded roots is soaked in
water and used to treat bilharzia.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The plant is used for ornamental purposes.
SEASON: Tubers are collected soon after the rainy season.
STORAGE: Dried slices can be stored for several weeks.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not usually cultivated or protected by
the local people. However, it can be propagated using slices of tuber with dor-
mant buds. This is, however, only done during famine periods.
260
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Tuber
261
THE SPECIES
262
THE SPECIES
Young fruit
Thorns
Edible tuber
263
THE SPECIES
264
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Tuber
265
THE SPECIES
D. cochlaeri-apiculata
Flowers
Fruit capsules
266
THE SPECIES
D. sansibarensis
Variety of shapes
in young leaves
267
THE SPECIES
268
THE SPECIES
Fruit
269
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Bende: Msinde; Chagga: Mkadi, Mkuare, Msinde; Digo: Mbara,
Mkulu; English: African ebony, Jackal berry; Luguru: Mkoko, Mkululu,
Msindanguruwe, Msinde, Mtitu; Matengo: Nsakala-wa-mwana; Nyamwezi:
Mkinde, Msinde; Pare: Mjongolo; Swahili: Mgiriti, Mgombe, Mjoho, Mpweke,
Msindi; Vidunda: Mkoko, Mkulwi; Zigua: Mhukwi, Mkulwe, Mkulwi; Sambaa:
Mkea-kundi.
DESCRIPTION: A medium- to large-sized tree, to 25 m. There may be a clear bole
from a buttressed base to the dense rounded crown. Young parts have silvery
hairs. BARK: Grey-black, rough and squared, grooved. LEAVES: Shiny
dark green, alternate, to 14 x 3 cm, the midrib raised below, edge wavy,
tip rounded. FLOWERS: Fragrant, male clustered, female solitary, cream-
white petals, 1 cm. FRUIT: Rounded, to 2.5 cm, in a calyx cup, the 5 seg-
ments curling back, fruit yellow, later purple, pulp soft and sweet with 4–6
brown, hairy seeds.
ECOLOGY: An evergreen tree common along rivers in dry savanna woodland and in
thickets, scrub forest in rocky gullies on hillsides. It occurs naturally in semi-
arid areas, 0–1,300 m; rainfall 500–1,300 mm.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in tropical Africa from Senegal to Angola, eastwards to
Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Yemen, south to Mozambique, South Africa and
Namibia. Occurs in most parts of Tanzania except Kagera, Mwanza, Mara and
Shinyanga Regions. It has been cultivated in western Australia.
USES:
Food:
The fruit are edible and sweet. They are collected from the ground, washed
and eaten fresh, the seeds being discarded. They are nutritious and eaten
frequently as a snack.
Medicinal:
The bark is used to treat stomach-ache.
Other: The bark is used for dyeing mats red. The wood is hard and strong with
a fine grain and is used for tool handles, gunstocks, wooden spoons and
furniture. It is termite and fungus resistant The tree is good for shade and
as a source of bee forage. Roots are used to ward off evil spells (Makua) after
being mixed with those of Asparagus and honey.
SEASON: Ripe fruit are available from April to June.
STORAGE: Ripe fruit can be dried in the sun and stored for several weeks.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated, but can be propagated
using fresh seed.
270
THE SPECIES
Flowering shoot
Developing fruit
Seed
Fruit section
271
THE SPECIES
272
THE SPECIES
Seeds
Fruit pod
273
THE SPECIES
274
THE SPECIES
Fruiting branchlet
275
THE SPECIES
276
THE SPECIES
1. D. caffra (English: Kei apple) the introduced species originating from South
Africa and is widely planted as a hedge in highland areas of Tanzania. The
fruit are edible and appreciated for making jam;
2. D. xanthocarpa (Hehe: Mgola, Mzuyuyu; Kaguru: Mgola, Mzuyuyu; Zigua:
Mkarato) a shrub or small tree up to 10 m high found in Arusha, Morogoro,
Iringa and Tanga Regions. Similar to other indigenous Dovyalis, this species
also has edible fruit. D. xanthocarpa is endemic to Tanzania.
D. macrocalyx
Flowers
Enlarged calyx
Fruit
Thorns
D. caffra
Flowers
Thorn
Fruit
277
THE SPECIES
278
THE SPECIES
One flower
Fruit
279
THE SPECIES
280
THE SPECIES
Flowering stem
281
THE SPECIES
282
THE SPECIES
Flower clusters
Fruit capsules
283
THE SPECIES
284
THE SPECIES
Enlarged flower
Flowers from
axillary stalk
Fruiting head
Seeds 2 mm across
Enlarged seed
285
THE SPECIES
286
THE SPECIES
Tubular florets
Clasping leaves
287
THE SPECIES
288
THE SPECIES
Female cone
Older tree
Young plant with central female cones
289
THE SPECIES
290
THE SPECIES
Flower clusters
along branch
291
THE SPECIES
292
THE SPECIES
Enlarged flower
293
THE SPECIES
294
THE SPECIES
REMARKS: The Hehe believe that planting this tree reduces the risk of damage
caused by thunder storms.
One mature
seed
Young seeds
Flower
Petals removed
295
THE SPECIES
296
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Fruit pods
1–3 leaflets
297
THE SPECIES
298
THE SPECIES
299
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES : English: Dune myrtle, Northern wild myrtle; Hehe: Kivengi;
Nyamwezi: Kasya mongo; Swahili: Mkangaa; Wanji: Sing’ani; Zinza:
Mtukizai.
DESCRIPTION: A bushy shrub or tree to 5 m, the branches hanging down. Many
stems hairy. BARK: Moderately smooth. LEAVES: Dull green, more or less
opposite, long oval, 2–7 cm long, the tip drawn out but blunt, shortly stalked.
The thin leaves are aromatic when crushed and when held against the light
gland dots are visible. FLOWERS: 3–9 together on thin stalks next to leaves,
the 4 tiny white petals, sometimes slightly pink, are fragrant, the flower about
1 cm across with a central mass of stamens, the calyx tube rounded and
its 4 lobes shorter than petals. FRUIT: Oval to 1.5 cm long, fleshy yellow-
red, ripening purple-black (becoming hard brown—like coffee berries), tipped
by the remains of the calyx, pleasant to taste but acid.
ECOLOGY: An under-storey shrub of forest edges, found in riverine woodland, wooded
grassland, thickets (on islands in Lake Victoria), occasionally in mountain for-
ests.
DISTRIBUTION: Found in the western areas of Tanzania, e.g. in Tabora, Kagera,
Mwanza and Kigoma Regions. From Tanzania and Uganda south to South
Africa and on Madagascar.
USES:
Food:
Ripe fruit are fleshy, sweet and eaten raw as a snack. They are much liked
by herdsmen and forest workers.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The wood is white, hard and heavy and is used for firewood, charcoal,
poles and spoons.
SEASON: Ripe fruit are collected from June to December.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated or protected by the local
people. Can be propagated using fresh seed.
STATUS: Locally common.
REMARKS: E. malangensis (Hehe: Kivengi, Mbugavugoo) is a woody herb, 30–35
cm high, with alternate leaves and small purple fruit which are edible. It is
found in Iringa and Songea Regions. It also occurs in Malawi and southwards
to Zimbabwe.
300
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Flower clusters
301
THE SPECIES
302
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Fruit
303
THE SPECIES
304
THE SPECIES
Pointed buds
Prominent stigma of
flower
One fruit
305
THE SPECIES
306
THE SPECIES
Stipules
307
THE SPECIES
Underground rhizome
308
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Underground rhizome
309
THE SPECIES
310
THE SPECIES
Flowering branches
Fruiting branches
311
THE SPECIES
312
THE SPECIES
Fruiting branch
313
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Bena: Mdzombe; Chagga: Mkuu; English: Wild fig, Fipa: Unku;
Hehe: Msombe; Luguru: Mkuyu, Mtakule; Maasai: Engaboli; Matengo:
Milola; Ngindo: Mkuyu; Ngoni: Milola; Nyamwezi: Mkuyu; Pare: Mkuu;
Rufiji: Mkuku; Sambaa: Mkuyu, Mvumo; Swahili: Mkuju, Mkuyu,
Mwangajo; Tongwe: Ikubila.
DESCRIPTION: A large deciduous tree to 20 m high with the trunk up to 150 cm in
diameter, occasionally buttressed. BARK: Smooth, grey, darker grey-brown with
age. LEAVES: Large, broadly oval, to 13–20 cm, usually smooth, edge often
widely toothed, sometimes wavy, veins clear below, stalk grooved and flexible
to 6 cm. FIGS: In heavy clusters, to 70 cm long, on branches from trunk
to older wood, figs round, 2–4 cm across, on stalks, orange-red, often hairy,
soft and edible but watery and tasteless, having many seeds and often insects
too.
ECOLOGY: Forest, riverine, wooded grassland, often left in cleared places in low-
land and medium-altitude areas, up to 2,100 m; rainfall 800–1,800 mm. Thrives
best in red sandy clay loams and sandy loams, but tolerates a wide range of soil
types.
DISTRIBUTION: Extends from Central Africa to Yemen, and to southern Africa. Wide-
spread in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
USES:
Food:
Figs are collected when ripe, cut open, seeds removed and the pulp eaten.
They are sweet and very juicy and eaten as a refreshing snack, especially by
children.
Medicinal:
– The bark is used by the Maasai to treat stomach-ache and diarrhoea in ba-
bies. The Digo use the roots to treat coughs.
– Bark is soaked in water and the liquid dripped into the mouth of a woman
who is breast-feeding. The rest of the liquid is used to massage the breasts to
increase lactation (Hehe).
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: This large tree is used for shade. The wood is used for canoes, water
pots, beehives, stools and grain mortars, and the latex for making balls and
bird lime.
SEASON: Collected at the end of the rainy season.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not protected or cultivated by local peo-
ple.
314
THE SPECIES
315
THE SPECIES
316
THE SPECIES
Young fruit
317
THE SPECIES
318
THE SPECIES
319
THE SPECIES
320
THE SPECIES
F. ingens
321
THE SPECIES
322
THE SPECIES
323
THE SPECIES
324
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Fruiting branch
325
THE SPECIES
326
THE SPECIES
Fruiting branchlet
Flower
Fruit—part of skin
removed to show pulp
Seeds
327
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: English: Granite garcinia; Ha: Umusalasi; Hehe: Mduma, Mfilafila;
Matengo: Mholoholo; Maasai: Norkipiren; Nyakyusa: Unsongwa; Tongwe:
Kasolyo.
DESCRIPTION: A small evergreen under-storey tree, 6–13 m, often densely branched
to a thick dark shady crown. All parts contain a rather sticky yellow sap.
BARK: Smooth, dark grey-brown, later rough and flaking, the underbark a
bright red-brown. LEAVES: Opposite, thick and leathery, shiny dark
green above, paler below, lateral veins thin and fine on both sides, edge rolled
under and wavy, oval-oblong, usually 6–12 cm long, the tip long pointed,
the base narrow to a very short stalk, which may be very pink. Buds often resin
covered. FLOWERS: White, yellow or orange, about 1 cm across, female soli-
tary, male in clusters of 2–3, 4 petals and sepals around a sticky orange stigma,
“x” shaped when open. FRUIT: Fleshy berries, yellow-orange when ma-
ture, rounded, to 2.5 cm across. Edible but very acid pulp surrounds the seed.
The outer skin is tough and hard.
ECOLOGY: Occurs in evergreen forest, riverine thickets, densely wooded grassland
and in coastal forest on pure sand, 0–1,800 m; rainfall 800–1,800 mm. Thrives
well on sandy loams.
DISTRIBUTION: One of the many Garcinia species growing from east to southern
Africa, Rwanda, Burundi, the Congo basin and Sudan. Widespread in Tanzania
and found for example in Tanga, Lindi, Iringa, Morogoro and Rukwa Regions.
USES:
Food:
– Fruits are edible. They are collected when ripe, peeled and the pulp eaten
like an orange as a snack. They are tasty but somewhat acidic.
– An alcoholic drink is made from the fruit.
Medicinal: An infusion from the roots is used as an aphrodisiac and as a lotion
for sores.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The wood is used for firewood, charcoal, tool handles, spoons, milk pots
and stools. The sap yields a yellow dye. The tree is used for shade and as an
ornamental.
SEASON: Collected in the dry season, April–June in Iringa.
328
THE SPECIES
Bud
Flower
329
THE SPECIES
330
THE SPECIES
Young fruit
Flower
Flowering branch
Fruiting branch
331
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Bena: Mkole; Bende: Mkole; English: Donkey berry; Gogo: Mkole,
Mtafuta; Gorowa: Lomo; Haya: Mkomakoma; Hehe: Mkole, Mpelemehe,
Msesetya; Nyamkole; Iraqw: Lagaang-aawak; Maasai: Esitete, Olsiteti,
Osiminde, Ositeti; Mbugwe: Musuna-nu-kuu; Nyamwezi: Mkoma,
Mkomalendi; Nyaturu: Musuna-nu-kuu; Rangi: Mduwau; Sambaa: Mkole-
ngoda; Sandawi: Serekuúk; Sangu: Mpelemehe; Sukuma: Mkoma, Mukoma;
Swahili: Mfukufuku, Mkole, Mkone; Zaramo: Mkole mweupe, Mswere; Zinza:
Mkomakoma.
DESCRIPTION: A low shrub or tree, 2–10 m, in dry deciduous woodland, produces
suckers and branches from the base of the main trunk. BARK: Smooth when
young, dotted with breathing pores; later dark, rough and scaly. LEAVES: Oval
to oblong, pointed, 1–8 cm, the edge finely toothed, shiny green above
but pale grey-white below, drooping in the heat. FLOWERS: Golden yel-
low, sweet smelling, small petals bent back over larger sepals. FRUIT:
Rounded and soft, 5 mm, orange then black, hairy at first, edible, sweet
but sharp on the tongue.
ECOLOGY: Found in Tanzania from the coast to the highlands, on poor soils, although
it prefers calcareous soil, e.g. along river courses in Babati and Singida Districts,
800–2,000 m.
DISTRIBUTION: A common tree of the semi-arid tropics in Africa and India. Widely
distributed in Tanzania, e.g. in Tabora, Iringa, Shinyanga, Dodoma and
Morogoro Regions. Also occurs in Kenya and Uganda.
USES:
Food:
– Ripe sweet fruits are picked from the tree and eaten raw as a snack. Only
the pulp is eaten and seeds are discarded.
– Ripe fruits are collected, lightly pounded in a grain mortar, soaked in water
and squeezed. The juice is filtered and drunk as it is or added to porridge.
– The juice from fruits can be fermented and made into an intoxicating drink.
Medicinal:
– Roots are pounded, soaked in cold water and the infusion drunk to treat
anaemia, chest pains, snakebite, colds, diarrhoea and infertility in women.
– The bark is chewed and put on wounds as a bandage.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The wood is hard and used for fuelwood, building poles, withies, walk-
ing sticks, clubs, pegs, bows, carrying beams and rakes. The tree is used for
bee forage and as an ornamental.
SEASON: Ripe fruits are collected from April to June.
332
THE SPECIES
Flowering or fruiting
branch
333
THE SPECIES
334
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Fruit
G. fallax
Flower
Fruit
335
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Arusha: Ositeti; Bena: Mpelemehe; Gogo: Mkole; Gorowa: Lomo;
Ha: Umushamgumu; Hehe: Mkole, Mpelemehe; Iraqw: Lagagir-daat; Kuria:
Mkomakoma; Maasai: Ositeti; Nyamwezi: Mkoma; Nyaturu: Musuna;
Rangi: Mduwau; Sandawi: /./.Hwaa, X’waa; Sangu: Mpelemehe; Sukuma:
Mdagwata; Sumbwa: Mukoma; Swahili: Mkole.
DESCRIPTION: A shrub or small tree 1.5–9 m, often multi-stemmed, with spreading
hairy branches, twiggy at the tips, often purple on drying. BARK: Black and
rough, thick and flaky, deeply fissured, a yellow-green fibrous
undersurface. LEAVES: Pale green above but grey-white silky hairs
cover the lower surface, long oval, 4–18 cm x 2–6 cm wide, 3 veins from the
base, side veins clear and parallel veins between, edge clearly toothed,
sometimes double-toothed, tip pointed, sharply stalked. FLOWERS: Beside leaves
on 1–3 stalks over 1 cm long, each with 2–3 flowers; the 5 sepals, about 1 cm
long, are hairy outside and enclose the hairy central ovary. FRUIT: 1–2 rounded
lobes slightly hairy, sharply tipped, each 5–7 mm; black, edible when ripe.
ECOLOGY: One of the Grewia species found in moist woodlands of East Africa. Does
well in low- and medium-altitude savanna woodlands, wooded grasslands and
riverine thickets, up to 1,600 m; rainfall 1,000–1,400 mm. Thrives in a variety
of soil types.
DISTRIBUTION: From Senegal in West Africa to the Sudan and East Africa, through
the Congo basin, south to Botswana and Mozambique. Widespread in Tanzania;
found for example in Tabora, Mwanza, Rukwa and Arusha Regions.
USES:
Food:
Ripe, sweet fruits are collected from the trees and eaten fresh as a snack.
The hard seed is discarded.
Medicinal: Leaves are pounded and soaked in water and the infusion drunk
to reduce gas in the stomach. It is also used to treat constipation in domestic
animals.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The leaves can be crushed, mixed with water and used as a shampoo
against head lice. The wood is used for walking sticks, building poles and
charcoal in many areas.
SEASON: Fruits are collected at the end of the rainy season.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not protected or cultivated by local people.
Can be propagated by seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
336
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Enlarged flower
337
THE SPECIES
338
THE SPECIES
Oblong buds
Fruit
339
THE SPECIES
340
THE SPECIES
Flowering shoot
341
THE SPECIES
342
THE SPECIES
Fruits
One flower
Flowering stem
G. goetzeana
343
THE SPECIES
344
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit
G. hexamita
Large flower
Fruit
345
THE SPECIES
346
THE SPECIES
Bracts
Ray florets
Disc florets
347
THE SPECIES
348
THE SPECIES
STATUS: Locally common but becoming increasingly rare due to over collecting.
Harvesting of orchid tubers destroys the whole plant and is thus an
unsustainable harvesting method which should be discouraged. To
maintain wild populations, studies on domestication are urgently needed.
REMARKS: A promising crop for cultivation and breeding.
Flowering spike
Overlapping leaves
Spur
Underground tuber
349
THE SPECIES
350
THE SPECIES
Underground tuber
351
THE SPECIES
352
THE SPECIES
Flower
Flowering shoot
353
THE SPECIES
354
THE SPECIES
Plant habit
Carpels ripen to
4 nutlets
Nutlet containing seed
355
THE SPECIES
356
THE SPECIES
Fruit capsule
Style and stigma
Flower
357
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: English: Shakama plum; Hehe: Mfiwi, Mfyuwi; Ngindo: Mkungu
mwali; Nyamwezi: Mkuwa; Nyasa: Mkungumwale; Sukuma: Mkuwa.
DESCRIPTION : A semi-deciduous shrub or under-storey tree, 4–8 m, horizontal
branching to a rounded crown, often quite dense. BARK: Grey-brown, smooth,
becoming flaky with rectangular scales; characteristic short hard leaf bases
where the leaves will break off (see illustration). LEAVES: Simple, stiff, long
oval, 3–11 cm, tip broadly rounded, base more or less rounded to a short
stalk, dense hairs on the midrib below, veins clear above, olive green above,
yellow-green below. FLOWERS: Solitary or in clusters beside leaves, not
stalked, 6 cream-yellow petals, crinkly, spider-like, joined at the base, 2.5
cm long. Characteristic red-brown buds only open after leaf fall, April–August,
just before rains. FRUIT: 1–3 cylindrical capsules (like short fingers), to 3.5
cm, soft and fleshy, narrowed between seeds, red-black when ripe. Each
section has several brown seeds in edible flesh, March–May.
ECOLOGY: Found in miombo woodland and Combretum–Terminalia scrub, 900–
1,500 m; rainfall 750–1,300 mm. Grows in various soil types including sandy
soils, sandy loams and sandy clay loams.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in drier parts of tropical Africa from Sudan to South
Africa. In Tanzania, it is found, e.g. in Shinyanga, Kigoma, Tabora, Iringa
and Lindi Regions.
USES:
Food:
The fruit are edible. Ripe fruit are usually collected from the tree, the pulp
eaten and the seeds rejected. Sometimes mature fruit are collected and stored
for one or two days to ripen. They are sweet-sour and much favoured by
children, herdsmen and farmers.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The wood is used for firewood, poles, tool handles, bows, gunstocks,
spoons and carvings.
SEASON: Collected during the rainy season between January and April.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: It is collected from the wild and not cultivated or protected by local
people. Can be propagated by seed.
STATUS: Uncommon and very scattered in its area of distribution.
REMARKS: Suitable for use in agroforestry.
358
THE SPECIES
Fruiting branchlet
Fruit
Remaining leaf
base
Buds
359
THE SPECIES
360
THE SPECIES
Views of calyx
Flower
361
THE SPECIES
362
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit capsule
363
THE SPECIES
364
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit
365
THE SPECIES
366
THE SPECIES
USES: H. micranthus
Food:
Leaves are collected, boiled and
added to peas or groundnuts. It is
used to thicken sauces and eaten
in small amounts with the staple.
Medicinal:
– Leaves and stems are burnt and
the ash rubbed on affected parts of
the abdomen to relieve hernia.
– Leaves, stems and flowers are
pounded, soaked in cold water and
the infusion is used as a bath to
stop the itching of chickenpox.
Commercial: Not marketed.
SEASON: Leaves collected in the early
flush of the rainy season.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild
and not protected or cultivated by
local people.
STATUS: It is uncommon and difficult to
find.
REMARKS: Several other Hibiscus species
are eaten as vegetables, including the
following:
1. H. micranthus (Sambaa: Mhurusha-
mbuzi) a shrub up to 2.5 m high with H. ludwigii
a hairy stem and leaves, purple
flowers. This species is widespread in
Tanzania;
2. H. ludwigii (Matengo: Lipeke-peke;
Sambaa: Kororwe, Lumaka) a shrub
up to 2.5 m high with hairy leaves
and large yellow flowers found in
Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Mbeya
Regions.
367
THE SPECIES
368
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Fruits
369
THE SPECIES
370
THE SPECIES
Fruits
One flower
371
THE SPECIES
372
THE SPECIES
Bright pink-red
bristles of lower calyx
Soil surface
Fruit section showing
many seeds in sticky pulp
Sectional view
4 calyx lobes
Warty brown
pseudo-rhizome
Stamens
373
THE SPECIES
374
THE SPECIES
375
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Digo: Mkoma, Mkoma lume; English: Doum palm; Gogo: Mlala;
Hehe: Kihogolo, Likweta; Maasai: Olmorokwet; Nyamwezi: Mlala, Mulala;
Pare: Kweche; Swahili: Mkoche, Mkoma, Mlala, Mnyaa, Muaa; Zigua:
Mkonko.
DESCRIPTION: An unusual branched palm tree, to 20 m, each branch crowned
with large fan-shaped leaves, the tree often surrounded by bushy young
growth. BARK: Trunk grey. LEAVES: Have a long spiny stalk supporting the
fan of leaflets. FLOWERS: Male and female on separate trees. FRUIT: Orange
to brown, hanging down in bunches, each fruit to about 10 cm long, 2 sides
flattened, edible fibres below the tough shiny skin, one large hard seed.
ECOLOGY: Common in dry areas along river courses and at the coast, 0–1,400 m,
often forming pure stands on deep sand or alluvial soils. It requires a high
water-table and hot climate for good growth.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in lowland arid Africa from Egypt through Ethiopia,
Sudan, Somalia and Kenya southwards to Mozambique. In Tanzania, this species
is found along the coast from Tanga southwards to Mtwara and in Kilimanjaro
and Morogoro Regions.
USES:
Food:
– Ripe fruits are collected from the ground or picked from the tree and eaten
raw. The pulp is sweet with a pleasant odour and much liked by children
and herdsmen.
– The kernels are also eaten after breaking the nut.
– The juice from young fruits is sucked like coconut milk.
– A good palm wine is produced from sap obtained by tapping the tip of the
main stem.
Medicinal: The pulp of the fruit is eaten as a remedy for intestinal worms.
Commercial: Not marketed for fruits but sold for medicine in local markets.
Other: Leaves are used as fibre for weaving mats, baskets, hats, fans and for
thatching houses. The wood is used for firewood and building poles.
SEASON: Fruits are collected during the dry season, i.e. April to July.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated. It can be propagated by
seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
376
THE SPECIES
Mature tree
Bunch of fruit
Fruit
Young plants
377
THE SPECIES
378
THE SPECIES
Habit, female
flowers and fruit
Young tree
379
THE SPECIES
380
THE SPECIES
381
THE SPECIES
382
THE SPECIES
383
THE SPECIES
384
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit capsules
Fruit capsules
Flower
Twining habit
385
THE SPECIES
386
THE SPECIES
Flower
Enlarged seed
387
THE SPECIES
388
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit capsule
389
THE SPECIES
390
THE SPECIES
Fruit Bud
Flower
391
THE SPECIES
392
THE SPECIES
One flower
Flower heads
Seed
Enlarged fruit capsule
393
THE SPECIES
394
THE SPECIES
Flower
395
THE SPECIES
396
THE SPECIES
Tendril
Fruit
397
THE SPECIES
398
THE SPECIES
milk pots and canoes. The tree is a good ornamental because of its large red
flowers and its large hanging sausage-like fruits. Also used as a bee-forage
tree. The fruit, either sliced or pounded, are fed to chickens as a treatment
for Newcastle disease.
SEASON: Collected June–December
STORAGE: Mature fruits can be stored for more than a week before use.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and retained around homes and gardens for
medicinal purposes, but not planted. It can be propagated by seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: Unripe fruits are poisonous. The tree does not compete with crops.
Flower head
Stalked fruit
399
THE SPECIES
400
THE SPECIES
Tendril
Section of fruit
One flower
401
THE SPECIES
402
THE SPECIES
403
THE SPECIES
404
THE SPECIES
Flower buds
Tendril
Fruit
405
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: Gogo: Msabi, Muwurubu; Gorowa: Itiwi, Tsalmi; Hehe: Mgulumo;
Kerewe: Murangarara; Nyamwezi: Mselya; Rangi: Chandu, Mtarima,
Muchunganyama; Sandawi: Kwilili; Sukuma: Nselya; Zigua: Mumbu; Zinza:
Murangalala.
DESCRIPTION: A deciduous shrub or tree, 3–10 m, with a short bole and much
branching to a rounded crown, branchlets drooping. BARK: Thick, grey-brown,
tough, flaking. Branchlets, leaf and flower stalks have yellow hairs.
LEAVES: Some single leaves but usually 3 leaflets, the large central leaflet
5–8 cm, on a 2-cm stalk, lateral leaflets smaller, leaflets oval to rounded, tip
rounded, blunt or notched, dark shiny green above when mature, but
very dense pale yellow-brown hairs below. FLOWERS: Small, yellow-green,
on simple 4–12 cm spikes, with some branches, beside leaves, stalk white,
hairy. FRUIT: Small drupes, purple when ripe, less than 1 cm, oblong but
somewhat flattened.
ECOLOGY: Found in wooded grasslands, often on rocky hills, extending into deciduous
thickets and Brachystegia woodlands, often on termite mounds, forest edges,
900–1,600 m.
DISTRIBUTION: Occurs in the northern, western and central areas of Tanzania, e.g.
in Kigoma, Arusha, Mbeya, Dodoma, Shinyanga, Mwanza and Tabora Regions.
Also in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Congo basin.
USES:
Food:
The fruits are edible and sweet. They are mostly eaten by children as a
snack while they herd cattle.
Medicinal:
– The bark is crushed and used as a bandage (poultice) for wounds and snakebite
and, generally, to stop bleeding.
– Roots are soaked in warm water and drunk to treat stomach-ache and chest
pains (Nyamwezi, Gogo, Hehe).
Other: The wood is used for construction and the bark as string.
SEASON: First fruit usually in December, main season in February and early March.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated or protected by local people.
It can be propagated by seed and cuttings.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
406
THE SPECIES
Flower spikes
Fruit capsules
407
THE SPECIES
408
THE SPECIES
Tuft of leaves on a
side shoot
Lenticels on bark
Clusters of fruit
409
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES : English: Wild grape; Gogo: Muwumbu; Ha: Ingege, Intabali,
Intulakigina; Hehe: Muwumbu; Nyamwezi: Mgumbugumbu, Mtinje;
Sandawi: Kwilili; Sukuma: Ntinje.
DESCRIPTION: A deciduous shrub or small tree, 1.5–6 m, with a flat spreading crown.
BARK: More or less smooth, becoming cracked and rough, underbark red. Short
thick branches with rough raised breathing pores. LEAVES: Wide oval to
rounded, 3–10 cm, rough above and dense star-shaped white hairs below,
leaf stalks to 4 cm with similar hairs, leaves single but several crowded on the
short small knobbly side branches. FLOWERS: Often on the bare tree, very
small, along spike-like stalks 1–3 cm on short lateral branches, petals yellow-
green to 5 mm, sepals and stalks covered with white star-shaped hairs. FRUIT:
Ovoid, to 1.4 cm long, densely hairy, with edible flesh around the seed.
ECOLOGY: In wooded grassland, semi-evergreen and deciduous bushland, often on
rocky sites including lava, 300–2,000 m.
DISTRIBUTION: Found in north-eastern Tanzania and also in many parts of Kenya
and southern Ethiopia.
USES:
Food:
Fruits are juicy and eaten fresh. They taste sweet and are eaten as a snack,
especially by children and herdsmen.
Medicinal: The bark is chewed to treat coughs, colds and stomach-ache.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: Roots are dug up and the bark peeled off to make ropes. Branches are
used to make toothbrushes. The tree is suitable for hedges.
SEASON: Fruits are available from October to December.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Usually collected from the wild, but can easily be propagated by
seeds and cuttings.
STATUS: Locally common.
REMARKS: A suitable tree for agroforestry.
410
THE SPECIES
Fruiting head
Flowering head
411
THE SPECIES
412
THE SPECIES
Flowering shoot
Fruiting head
L. alata
413
THE SPECIES
414
THE SPECIES
Flowering head
Prickly stems
415
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: English: Sage brush; Bende: Mhugambu; Bondei: Mhuuga; Hehe:
Luhongole; Maasai: Enkurma-onkayiok, Lukurman-oonkayiok,
Olmagirigiriani; Nyamwezi: Mpugambu; Sambaa: Msasa-kilasha, Muhanta;
Swahili: Mvepe.
DESCRIPTION: A small scrambling shrub, 0.3–3 m, the stems with stiff hairs but no
prickles. LEAVES: In threes, occasionally opposite, long oval, 1.25–10 cm
long, the edge closely toothed, the upper surface wrinkled and
sandpapery, densely soft hairy below, tip pointed, very shortly stalked.
FLOWERS: Arise on stalks 2.5–10 cm long, beside leaves, the flower head
rounded at first to 2.5 cm diameter, elongating with age. Each flower mauve,
purple or pink, 5-lobed, slightly 2–lipped, often a yellow throat, only 3–7 mm
across. FRUIT: A group of small separate red-purple berry-like drupes,
soft and edible.
ECOLOGY: A shrub of forest and bush edges, disturbed forest and roadsides, growing
also in grasslands, bushland, abandoned cultivation, tolerating a wide variety
of soils. This plant varies greatly throughout its range and is hybridized with
other Lantana species, 900–2,500 m.
DISTRIBUTION: Found throughout Tanzania, e.g. in Kagera, Kilimanjaro, Rukwa,
Iringa, Kigoma, Arusha and Morogoro Regions. Also in Uganda, Kenya and
widespread in the rest of Africa.
USES:
Food:
– The ripe purple fruits are occasionally collected in handfuls and eaten fresh
on the spot as a snack and to quench thirst. They have a sweet taste.
– Leaves are used to flavour milk.
Medicinal:
– Leaves are crushed and mixed in hot water and drunk to treat rheumatism,
generalized body pains and indigestion. Leaves are also used for treatment
of colds and ringworm.
– Roots are used to treat eczema.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The plant is used for fodder and as a source of bee forage. The stems are
used for constructing storage containers and fish traps.
SEASON: Fruits are collected late in the rainy season.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not protected or cultivated by local people.
It can be propagated by seed and cuttings.
416
THE SPECIES
STATUS: Common and easily accessed within its area of distribution; especially
appreciated by firewood gatherers, hunters, pastoralists and children.
REMARKS: The plant is suitable for planting as a hedge or ornamental.
Fruit head
Flower head
Hairy stems
417
THE SPECIES
418
THE SPECIES
Enlarged flower
Enlarged seed
419
THE SPECIES
420
THE SPECIES
Stipules
421
THE SPECIES
422
THE SPECIES
Flowering branch
Fruit capsule
Fruiting branch
Male flower
423
THE SPECIES
424
THE SPECIES
425
THE SPECIES
Indigenous
LOCAL NAMES: Luguru: Mduru-mweupe; Maasai: Oleragai; Mwera: Mguena,
Mgwena; Pare: Mkungulungu; Swahili: Kihari, Mlangwe; Zinza: Msaro.
DESCRIPTION: An evergreen tree 6–21 m with a heavy leafy crown. BARK: Smooth
pale grey-brown. LEAVES: Compound, pinnate, the leaf stalks to 10 cm and
crimson when young as well as the lower midrib, 1–3 pairs of large leaflets,
8–19 cm, the top pair always opposite, shortly stalked, slightly one-sided, the
long tip blunt or rounded, drying grey-green above and paler below. FLOWERS:
Small, yellow-green male and female flowers with a rather unpleasant smell,
growing along loose branched heads from leaf axils, or all appearing terminal,
usually flowering with new leaf growth. Flowering heads 5–20 cm, the
young stalks with golden hairs, each flower with 5 white petals, to 4 mm,
with a hairy fringe, 5–7 yellow stamens. FRUIT: Oval, red 12–18 mm,
containing 2 black seeds.
ECOLOGY: Evergreen lowland and submontane forest, riverine forest, often on coral
or lava rock near the sea, 0–1,800 m.
DISTRIBUTION: In all parts of Tanzania except western and central areas, e.g. in
Morogoro, Mara, Kilimanjaro, Pwani, Mwanza and Kagera Regions. Also found
from West Africa to Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, south to Mozambique and in
India and Malaysia.
USES:
Food:
Ripe fruits are fleshy and eaten raw. The pulp is swallowed and seeds dis-
carded (Mafia).
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The wood is medium hard and used for furniture, building poles, tool
handles and spoons. The tree is used for shade. It is also used as fish poison
(flowers).
SEASON: Ripe fruits are collected from February to June.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Ripe fruits are collected from the wild, but the tree can be propagated
using fresh seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: Leaves and seeds are reported to be poisonous to goats and the flowers
poisonous to fish.
426
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Male flower
427
THE SPECIES
428
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Flower
429
THE SPECIES
430
THE SPECIES
Flower head
431
THE SPECIES
432
THE SPECIES
Fruit capsule
Tiny flowers
433
THE SPECIES
434
THE SPECIES
Berry fruit
Flower
Bud
Spine
435
THE SPECIES
436
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit capsules
437
THE SPECIES
438
THE SPECIES
Flower
Three outer
sepals
Fruit
439
THE SPECIES
440
THE SPECIES
Fruit
441
THE SPECIES
442
THE SPECIES
443
THE SPECIES
444
THE SPECIES
Flower
Flower head
Flower opened out
Seed
Branch
Fruit
445
THE SPECIES
446
THE SPECIES
One flower
Fruits
447
THE SPECIES
448
THE SPECIES
Fruiting twig
Flowering twig
449
THE SPECIES
450
THE SPECIES
Flower
Berry fruits
451
THE SPECIES
452
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Flowers
453
THE SPECIES
454
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Fruit
455
THE SPECIES
456
THE SPECIES
Flowering shoot
Fruit
Pistil
457
THE SPECIES
Fruit
4 stamens
Three-lobed petals
and the 8 stamens
4 staminodes
458
THE SPECIES
459
THE SPECIES
460
THE SPECIES
Flower head
461
THE SPECIES
462
THE SPECIES
Simple tendrils
Female flower
Fruit
463
THE SPECIES
464
THE SPECIES
Tendril
Female flower
Swollen rootstock
465
THE SPECIES
466
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Fruiting branch
467
THE SPECIES
468
THE SPECIES
M. crassa
Flowers
469
THE SPECIES
470
THE SPECIES
Tip of mature
leaflet to show
actual size
Young leaf
471
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: English: Giant yellow mulberry; Hehe: Mftsa, Mfutsa, Mkwaliti,
Mufutsa, Mvalambi; Kaguru: Mfuza; Kinga: Mabagala; Luguru: Mdewerere,
Mkwayaga, Mlowelowe; Matengo: Mahusa, Muhusa; Nguru: Mkonde;
Nyakyusa: Mskisya, Msuisya, Mswiza; Nyiha: Liwisa; Sambaa: Mkonde,
Mkonde dume; Tongwe: Isakama; Wanji: Libangala; Zigua: Mkonde.
DESCRIPTION: A medium-sized tree to 1–20 m with a short trunk and large branches,
often with stilt roots to 60 cm high. BARK: Grey-brown, much watery sap inside
which turns black in the air. LEAVES: Distinctive, very large, 25–60 cm
across and compound palmate with 5–7 leaflets, the largest central leaflets
20–30 cm long, outer leaflets smaller, edge saw toothed, upper surface smooth
dark green, lower side grey-green, hairy, with conspicuous veins, on a brown
hairy stalk 7–35 cm long. FLOWERS: Sexes separate: male flowers on thick
branched heads 4–15 cm across, 6 cm long, densely covered with tiny green
flowers with orange anthers; female flowers 20–40 on a stalked head,
yellow, 2 cm diameter. FRUIT: Round and yellow, 4 cm across, with
hard sections, each conical and pointed (resembling a small pineapple).
Each seed in a section surrounded by acid edible pulp.
ECOLOGY: Rainforest, montane forests, sometimes at edges or in regrowth and along
rivers, 900–2,100 m.
DISTRIBUTION: In Tanzania it is found in Tanga, eastern and the Southern High-
lands. Also in Uganda, Kenya, parts of Central Africa, and south to Mozam-
bique, Malawi, northern Zambia and eastern Zimbabwe.
USES:
Food:
Fresh fruits are collected from the tree and eaten as a snack.
Other: The wood is white, soft and used for firewood, torches and cups.
SEASON: Collected from February to June.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not protected or cultivated by local people.
Can be propagated by fresh seeds, coppices and root suckers.
STATUS: Generally scattered within its area of distribution.
472
THE SPECIES
473
THE SPECIES
474
THE SPECIES
Part of female
flowering branch
Flowering branch
Fruit in section
Male flower
Female flower
475
THE SPECIES
476
THE SPECIES
Winged calyx
477
THE SPECIES
478
THE SPECIES
Fruiting head
Section of rhizome
479
THE SPECIES
480
THE SPECIES
Leaves
Fruit
Flowers
481
THE SPECIES
482
THE SPECIES
Fruiting branchlet
Fruit section
483
THE SPECIES
484
THE SPECIES
Bud
Stamen Pistil
Seed
Fruit section
485
THE SPECIES
486
THE SPECIES
Catkin-like as flower
stalks lengthen
Mature fruit
Cone-like bracts
around flower buds
Leaf shapes
487
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: English: Cactus, Prickly pear; Fiome: Ahntsi; Hehe: Likidindi;
Sandawi: Tlan/.kakaso; Swahili: Masikio tembo, Mfurahisha mkundu,
Mpungate; Sukuma: Matwigampuli.
DESCRIPTION: A dense succulent bush with swollen articulated branches which
become woody, or a tree reaching 2–5 m. Sometimes forms impenetrable thickets.
The oval flattened stem joints grow one above the other, ear shaped,
to 40 cm long and bristling with tufts of very sharp spines. These green
stems fulfill the function of leaves and manufacture the plant’s food. LEAVES:
True leaves, small and thin, appear briefly at the tips of very young shoots and
soon fall off. FLOWERS: Bright orange-yellow, 6–8 cm across, with many
sepals, petals and stamens arranged spirally. Flowers develop in rows on
the upper edges of young joints almost all year round. FRUIT: Fleshy and
egg shaped but deeply depressed at the top, green, ripening brick-red–
yellow–purple. When ripe, the spiny skin, with is barbed hairs, slips off leaving
sweet edible flesh around the seeds.
ECOLOGY: A true cactus which grows in arid, semi-arid to humid areas, 900–2,400
m. It can grow in very hot dry areas and in poor soils.
DISTRIBUTION :Found in many towns and villages in Tanzania, including on
Zanzibar Island. Its origins are unknown, but probably Central or South
America. The plant is now very widespread in tropical and sub-tropical areas,
to north Africa and the Mediterranean.
USES:
Food:
The fruit is edible when it ripens and softens. The prickly hairs and spines
are removed by peeling off the outer skin to expose the sweet inner white
pulp which is eaten.
Other: The plant is used for ornamental purposes and erosion control, live
fence, boundary and grave marking and bee forage.
SEASON: Being a succulent, it can be harvested all the year round.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: It is planted by cuttings. First introduced for hedges, fodder or fruit,
the plant has become widely naturalized. Once established, it is hard to eradicate
and may become an unwelcome weed species. Severe control is required.
STATUS: Widely planted, and also spreads on its own.
488
THE SPECIES
Flower
Habit
489
THE SPECIES
490
THE SPECIES
O. kirkii
Flower
Flowering shoot
Flower
Fruit pod
491
THE SPECIES
492
THE SPECIES
Fleshy fruit
Flower heads
493
THE SPECIES
494
THE SPECIES
Flower
Stipular sheath
495
THE SPECIES
496
THE SPECIES
Flowering spike
Fruit
497
THE SPECIES
498
THE SPECIES
M ANAGEMENT : Collected from the wild, but the plant is often protected and
occasionally planted by local people.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution. Can be propagated by seed but
the seeds are difficult to germinate.
REMARKS: There are two subspecies which are not easy to distinguish. Subsp.
curatellifolia is found in Tanzania but begins to be replaced by subsp. mobola
towards the south of the country. Subsp. mobola (which has thicker orange-
brown hairs and flowers for a longer period) is very well known and used in
Malawi, Zimbabwe and South Africa, where it is always preserved in cultivated
areas. In South Africa, the fruit are used for making both soft drinks and mobola
plum wine. The dried fruit can be stored, and were used as provisions on
Livingstone’s long journey, for example. The seed kernel is also eaten. A good
species for growing in orchards or homegardens.
Flower heads
Mature fruit
Seed kernel
499
THE SPECIES
LOCAL NAMES: English: Forest mobola plum; Hehe: Mkanzaula, Msaula; Luguru:
Muula; Nyakyusa: Mbula; Pare: Muganda; Sambaa: Mbula, Mhula, Muula,
Muuwa; Swahili: Mbula, Mbura; Tongwe: Mubula; Zigua: Mula.
DESCRIPTION: A tall evergreen tree, much branched and bushy, the bole straight,
up to 20 m and 1 m across, the base slightly buttressed. BARK: Grey, finely
grooved, becoming rough, cracked and scaly. Dark branchlets dotted with pale
lenticels (breathing pores). Young shoots, flower stalks, all with pale brown
woolly hairs. LEAVES: Alternate, oval, to about 11 cm and up to wide, usually
with a long-pointed tip, narrowed to a short stalk, dark green shiny above,
pale brown, softly hairy below, the veins regular and parallel above and below.
FLOWERS: The terminal white flowers easily recognized on he flowering tree.
Each one very small, 6 mm across, with 5 cream-white petals, on branched
stalks beside leaves. FRUIT: A fleshy oval drupe, sometimes round, 2–5
cm long, green-brown with paler specks, 1–2 seeds inside, also edible.
ECOLOGY: Found in upland rainforest where it is often dominant, as well as in
riverine forest in Brachystegia woodland, 1,000–2,100 m.
DISTRIBUTION: In Tanzania this tree grows well on sandy soils in open deciduous
woodland, e.g. in Dodoma Region and around Lake Victoria, but is recorded for
most areas. Also in Uganda, and south to Malawi and Zambia; also widespread
in West Africa.
USES:
Food:
– The ripe fruits are collected from the ground, the rough, woody outer cover
removed and the soft fleshy pulp eaten as a snack, especially by children.
The fruits are eaten in small amounts and are said to taste like avocado.
– The kernels are oily and also eaten.
Commercial: Not marketed.
Other: The wood yields good charcoal and good-quality timber for heavy con-
struction because it is very strong and tough. It is also used for firewood,
mortars and tool handles. The tree is used for shade in coffee farms and is
also an important source of bee forage.
SEASON: Ripe fruits are collected from August to March, with an intermediate heavy
crop in November and December.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the forests and is not cultivated or protected by the
local people.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
500
THE SPECIES
REMARKS: Suitable agroforestry tree for highland areas. The pointed leaf tips and
narrower leaves differentiate this species from Parinari curatellifolia.
Flower head
Section of fruit
501
THE SPECIES
502
THE SPECIES
Enlarged leaflet
Enlarged seed
Fruid pod
Enlarged flower
503
THE SPECIES
504
THE SPECIES
Male flower
head with bracts
Seed (x 4)
505
THE SPECIES
506
THE SPECIES
Leaf
Fruit
Habit
507
THE SPECIES
508
THE SPECIES
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not cultivated or protected by the local
people. It can be propagated from seed.
STATUS: Occasional within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: The tree is much browsed by wild game.
Flowering shoot
Scale leaf
Pink sepals
Clear leaf
Prickly conical edge (hyaline)
cushions
(cataphylls)
Spiny stipule
Fresh fruit
Dry fruit
Open dried fruit
Seeds
Bare tree with a few fruit
509
THE SPECIES
Indigenous
LOCAL NAMES: Bende: Mfumbe, Mnsakansaka; Digo: Mtsekeshe, Mutseketse;
English: Camel’s foot tree, Monkeybread; Fiome: Galapi; Fipa: Mfumbe,
Msindamboga, Nakifumbe; Gorowa: Galapi; Haya: Mtindambogo; Hehe:
Mkombalwiko, Mvambangoma; Iraqw: Galapi; Maasai: Ilsagararam (plural),
Olsagararami, Os sangararam; Mate: Chitembe, Titimbo; Matengo: Chitimbe,
Jitimbo; Mwera: Mguwauwa; Ngindo: Msegese; Nyamwezi: Mtindambogo;
Nyasa: Chitimbe; Nyaturu: Musasu; Rangi: Mngalapo, Mugalapo; Sambaa:
Mgonambogo, Msegese, Msegesege; Sangu: Mkombalwike, Muhela; Sukuma:
Mtindwa-mbogo; Swahili: Mchekeche, Mchikichiki, Mkichikichi, Msegese,
Mbamba ngoma; Tongwe: Msakanasaka; Zigua: Msegese; Zinza: Msindaga.
DESCRIPTION: A rounded deciduous tree, 3–5 m, branches twisted. BARK: Thick,
dark and rough, fibrous within. Dark red if cut. LEAVES: Large and bilobed,
a small bristle in the deep notch, often folded along midrib, leathery, pale
green, to 12 cm long, hairy, lower surface brown, many raised veins.
FLOWERS: White, cream or pink, hanging down in sprays 10–20 cm, 5
petals, only 2 cm long, the calyx cups very hairy, fragrant. FRUIT:
Flat brown and woody pods, hairy at first, 15–20 cm long, persisting on
the tree but finally decaying on the ground to free pea-sized seeds. Pulp
surrounding the seed is eaten.
ECOLOGY: Found in woodland, wooded grassland and bushland, 0–1,830 m; rainfall
600–1,500 mm. Thrives on a variety of soils.
DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in tropical Africa from Senegal to the Sudan and south
to Namibia and South Africa. Found in most parts of Tanzania, e.g. in Pwani,
Tanga, Morogoro, Tabora, Iringa, Mwanza and Kagera Regions.
USES:
Food:
– The brown pod is cracked, seeds are removed and the pulp eaten as a snack
or as emergency food; used in small amounts. It tastes sweet and is eaten
especially by children and herdsmen.
– The fruits are collected in large quantities during famine periods. They are
then pounded and the powder soaked in water, the liquid stirred and drunk
(Gogo, Hehe, Nyamwezi).
Medicinal:
– Tender leaves are chewed and the juice swallowed to treat stomach-ache,
coughs and snakebite.
– The ash obtained from burnt leaves is rubbed into snakebite wounds after
scarification in order to hasten healing.
510
THE SPECIES
Flower head
Leaves
One flower
Pod fruit
511
THE SPECIES
512
THE SPECIES
Flower spikes
Berry fruits
513
THE SPECIES
514
THE SPECIES
Male flower
Female flowering
branchlet
Female flower
Fruiting branchlet
515
THE SPECIES
516
THE SPECIES
Water surface
Fibrous roots
517
THE SPECIES
518
THE SPECIES
Flower spike
519
THE SPECIES
520
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Flower section
521
THE SPECIES
522
THE SPECIES
P. salicifolium
Sheath P. pulchrum
with hairs
Lens-shaped fruit
523
THE SPECIES
524
THE SPECIES
Fruiting branch
Flowering branch
Fruit enlarged
525
THE SPECIES
526
THE SPECIES
species which is known and used in the same way as P. oleracea. It resembles P.
oleracea but has smaller leaves and is also widespread in Tanzania and Kenya.
Fruit cluster
527
THE SPECIES
528
THE SPECIES
Young flower
(subsp. keniensis)
529
THE SPECIES
530
THE SPECIES
Male bud
Female flower
Flowering shoot
531
THE SPECIES
532
THE SPECIES
Flower
Unequal-sided
leaflet Seed
Hairy calyx
around fruit pod
Calyx opened out
533
THE SPECIES
534
THE SPECIES
Enlarged male
flowers
Fruit
535
THE SPECIES
536
THE SPECIES
Flowering heads
Berry fruit
537
THE SPECIES
538
THE SPECIES
Flower head
Triangular stipules
Fruit
539
THE SPECIES
540
THE SPECIES
Open flower
Flower clusters
541
THE SPECIES
542
THE SPECIES
Flowering branch
Fruiting branch
543
THE SPECIES
544
THE SPECIES
Flower clusters
Fruit
545
THE SPECIES
546
THE SPECIES
Fruit
547
THE SPECIES
548
THE SPECIES
Fruiting branch
549
THE SPECIES
550
THE SPECIES
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not protected or cultivated by local peo-
ple, but can be propagated using fresh seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
R EMARKS : R. longipes (Arusha: Emusigiloi; Barabaig: Sirong; Gorowa:
Aambalangw, Datei, Datlii; Iraqw: Ambalaki; Matengo: Mkenikeni; Rangi:
Mukundi; Swahili: Mchengele; Wanji: Lisekeru-dume) is a shrub or tree up to
12 m high with small edible fruit. The species is widespread in Tanzania. It is
also found in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and south to South Africa.
Flowering shoot
551
THE SPECIES
552
THE SPECIES
Female flower
(enlarged)
Fruit capsules
553
THE SPECIES
R. rautanenii
554
THE SPECIES
R. rautanenii
Young fruit
Buds
555
THE SPECIES
556
THE SPECIES
Enlarged flower
Flowering branch
557
THE SPECIES
558
THE SPECIES
Mature flower
Fruit section
559
THE SPECIES
560
THE SPECIES
Section of flower
with long stamens Variation in leaflet shape
561
THE SPECIES
562
THE SPECIES
Recurved prickles
on stem
Variable leaves
Climbing habit
Flowering shoots
Enlarged flower and fruit
563
THE SPECIES
564
THE SPECIES
in taxonomy, and the same local names. Several species apart from R. apetalus
have edible fruits, including the following:
1. R. rigidus (Bondei: Mshaa; Chagga: Iwero; Hehe: Lidung’o; Swahili: Utonge;
Wanji: Lidoni; Zigua: Mshaa) a scrambling shrub up to 3 m high with pink
flowers and small edible fruits. This species is widespread in Tanzania, Kenya,
Uganda and other parts of Africa;
2. R. steudneri (Matengo: Utongonya; Sambaa: Mshaa) with the same vernacu-
lar names as R. rigidus, a hairy scrambler with grey-green stems up to 4 m in
height and dark red to black fruits. It is found in Morogoro, Kilimanjaro, Iringa
and Tanga Regions. It is also found in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.
Younger leaves
often trifoliate
R. steudneri
Flowers
Ripe fruit
565
THE SPECIES
566
THE SPECIES
567
THE SPECIES
568
THE SPECIES
It was also used as a cold bath for sufferers of the disease. The young stems and
leaves of R. bequertii and R. ruwenzoriensis are also edible.
Enlarged fruit
Flowering shoot
569
THE SPECIES
570
THE SPECIES
Flowering branch
Climbing tendrils
(modified branchlets)
are hard hooks
Seed
Fruit section
Fruit
571
THE SPECIES
572
THE SPECIES
Flowering shoot
573
THE SPECIES
574
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Flowering branch
Fruit
575
THE SPECIES
576
THE SPECIES
577
THE SPECIES
578
THE SPECIES
REMARKS: This is one of several Satyrium species which are highly valued as food
plants.
Flowering stem
Hairy tuber
579
THE SPECIES
580
THE SPECIES
Terminal leaves
Fruit
581
THE SPECIES
582
THE SPECIES
Spines
Enlarged flower
Enlarged berry fruit and seed
583
THE SPECIES
584
THE SPECIES
Flowering branch
Spines
Fruiting branch
585
THE SPECIES
586
THE SPECIES
Flowering branch
Fruit pods
587
THE SPECIES
588
THE SPECIES
Enlarged flower
Fruit pod
589
THE SPECIES
REMARKS: The species is also known to be toxic. Care should be taken by following
the instructions given by the herbalist when using it medicinally. A suitable
candidate for agroforestry in dry areas.
A related species, S. occidentalis (Bondei: Komanguku; English: Stinking
weed; Gogo: Muwinganzoka; Hehe: Nyamaganga; Kuria: Maitanyoka;
Maasai: Eswaili; Sambaa: Muinu; Sukuma: Nzegenzege; Swahili: Mnuka
uvundo, Mwingajini) is an erect herb up to 20 cm high with compound leaves,
yellow flowers and erect and slightly curved pods. It is widespread in tropical
Africa and found all over Tanzania. The leaves of this species are used as a
vegetable. Seeds are roasted and used as a substitute for coffee. Leaves and
roots are used to treat stomach-ache, fever, snakebite, STDs and mental illness.
590
THE SPECIES
S. occidentalis
591
THE SPECIES
592
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit capsule
593
THE SPECIES
594
THE SPECIES
Leafy shoot
595
THE SPECIES
596
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit capsule
597
THE SPECIES
598
THE SPECIES
Enlarged dehiscing
fruit and a seed
Habit
599
THE SPECIES
600
THE SPECIES
Flowers
601
THE SPECIES
602
THE SPECIES
Fruiting branch
603
THE SPECIES
604
THE SPECIES
Flowering shoot
605
THE SPECIES
606
THE SPECIES
607
THE SPECIES
608
THE SPECIES
STATUS: Locally common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: One of the best wild fruit trees and suitable for agroforestry.
Flowering branch
609
THE SPECIES
610
THE SPECIES
Flower spike
611
THE SPECIES
612
THE SPECIES
Male flowers
613
THE SPECIES
614
THE SPECIES
Leaf shapes
Flowers
Fruit
615
THE SPECIES
616
THE SPECIES
Young cone-like
flower heads
Boat-shaped fruit
break open
617
THE SPECIES
618
THE SPECIES
S. quinqueloba
619
THE SPECIES
620
THE SPECIES
Enlarged flower
Section of fruit
Enlarged spines
621
THE SPECIES
622
THE SPECIES
Flowering branch
Fruit
Pair of leaves
623
THE SPECIES
624
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Fruit section
625
THE SPECIES
626
THE SPECIES
S. spinosa
Fruit
Enlarged spines
S. pungens
627
THE SPECIES
628
THE SPECIES
Flowering branch
5 petal-like sepals
629
THE SPECIES
630
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit section
Flowering branch
Enlarged seed
631
THE SPECIES
632
THE SPECIES
Fruit
Flowering branch
Young flower
(enlarged) Flower opened out (enlarged)
633
THE SPECIES
634
THE SPECIES
southwards to Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia and Angola. Its wood is used for
firewood, charcoal and domestic utensils. The tree provides good shade and its
latex is used to treat wounds.
Flower clusters
on old wood
S. ceraciferum
Flower clusters
on old wood
Enlarged flower
635
THE SPECIES
636
THE SPECIES
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild, but also protected in gardens for easy ac-
cess. Can be propagated using fresh seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
Flower heads
Fruit
637
THE SPECIES
638
THE SPECIES
Other: The wood is used for fuel, poles, withies, beams and spoons. Fruits pro-
duce a purple dye. The tree is used for shade and is a source of bee forage.
SEASON: Ripe fruits are collected from February to May.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not protected or cultivated by local peo-
ple. This species can be propagated using fresh seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
Fruit
Flowers
639
THE SPECIES
640
THE SPECIES
Flower heads
Buds
641
THE SPECIES
642
THE SPECIES
Tuber
Buds
643
THE SPECIES
644
THE SPECIES
Flower
Fruit capsules on
recurved stalks
645
THE SPECIES
646
THE SPECIES
Medicinal:
– Leaves are chewed or pounded and used as medicine for treatment of diar-
rhoea, dysentery, stomach-ache, malaria, sore throat and fever, as poultices
for wounds, abscesses, snakebite and to treat mental disorders.
– A root decoction is used as a remedy for asthma, leprosy, liver disease, rheu-
matism, amenorrhoea, boils, fever, hookworm and ulcers.
– Pounded seeds are used as a remedy for dysentery.
Commercial: The fruits are marketed locally in most major towns.
Other: The wood is very hard and heavy and is used for firewood, charcoal,
general carpentry, boat building, poles, walking sticks, trays, tool handles,
pestles, bows and carvings. Leaves are used for fodder. The tree is used for
shade, and as a windbreak, firebreak, ornamental and source of bee forage.
SEASON: Fruits are collected during the dry season.
STORAGE: The sticky pulp of the dried fruit is made into balls which can be stored
for about 2 years.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild. Protected by local people in compounds and
fields. Can be propagated using seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: One of the most popular wild fruit in Tanzania.
Flowers
647
THE SPECIES
648
THE SPECIES
Young fruits
649
THE SPECIES
650
THE SPECIES
Tubular flowers
Fruit topped by
calyx remains
Stipular sheath
651
THE SPECIES
652
THE SPECIES
Wavy stamens
Calyx cap
653
THE SPECIES
654
THE SPECIES
Stinging hairs
on sepals
3-seeded
fruit capsule
655
THE SPECIES
656
THE SPECIES
Young flower
heads on twig
657
THE SPECIES
658
THE SPECIES
Unequal-length leaves
659
THE SPECIES
660
THE SPECIES
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild, but often retained or planted in farmland. It
can be propagated using fresh seed.
STATUS: Locally common.
REMARKS: A promising tree for agroforestry.
661
THE SPECIES
662
THE SPECIES
Open fruit
capsule
663
THE SPECIES
664
THE SPECIES
5 enlarged sepals
around fruit
665
THE SPECIES
666
THE SPECIES
Mature fruit
Young fruit
667
THE SPECIES
668
THE SPECIES
669
THE SPECIES
670
THE SPECIES
REMARKS: Pods are eaten raw when young, but cooked when older (Zimbabwe).
The large tuber is crushed and pounded to make a fine meal used to make
porridge (Zimbabwe). The plant has been cultivated in the Sudan for fish poi-
son (rotenone) and for an insecticide obtained from the leaves.
Flower head
Tendrils
Pods
Seeds within
pod section
671
THE SPECIES
672
THE SPECIES
Spadix tip
Leaf-like spathe
Base of spadix
with “flowers”
Leaf
Plant habit
673
THE SPECIES
674
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Fruit
675
THE SPECIES
676
THE SPECIES
Fruiting stalk
Flowers
677
THE SPECIES
678
THE SPECIES
Male flower
Female flower
Stigma
679
THE SPECIES
680
THE SPECIES
Female flower
Male flowers
Enlarged male
Fruit flower
Fruiting branchlet
681
THE SPECIES
682
THE SPECIES
683
THE SPECIES
684
THE SPECIES
685
THE SPECIES
686
THE SPECIES
Clusters of oblong
fruit (monocarps)
687
THE SPECIES
688
THE SPECIES
Cup-like calyx
Flower
689
THE SPECIES
690
THE SPECIES
Fruit
691
THE SPECIES
692
THE SPECIES
spoons. Small branches are used for stirring milk and cooking vegetables.
The tree is good for shade and as an ornamental.
SEASON: Ripe fruits are collected from November to July.
STORAGE: Dried fruits can be stored for about a year and then soaked in warm
water for about 12 hours when required for eating.
MANAGEMENT: Usually collected from the wild, but the species is now being retained
and protected in cultivation. Propagation can be done using scarified seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: This species is one of the most popular wild fruit trees in Tanzania that
requires and deserves immediate cultivation and breeding.
Enlarged flower
Variable leaf
shapes
Fruit
Calyx scar
693
THE SPECIES
694
THE SPECIES
Enlarged flower
Mature fruit
695
THE SPECIES
696
THE SPECIES
Buds
Fruiting branch
697
THE SPECIES
698
THE SPECIES
Flower head
Buds
Dry fruit
Young fruit
699
THE SPECIES
700
THE SPECIES
Fruit pods
Stipule
Seeds
701
THE SPECIES
702
THE SPECIES
Flower head
Calyx cup
Ripe fruit
703
THE SPECIES
704
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Fruit showing
enlarged calyx
Fruiting branch
705
THE SPECIES
706
THE SPECIES
Flower heads
707
THE SPECIES
708
THE SPECIES
found in western Tanzania and the Southern Highlands; also the Congo basin,
Burundi, Malawi, Angola.
Trifoliate leaves
Fruit in toothed
calyx cup
709
THE SPECIES
710
THE SPECIES
SEASON: Ripe fruits are collected from April to June in Tabora, Songea and Kigoma,
and April–September in Iringa, Njombe and Mbeya.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Fruits are usually collected from the wild, but the species is also
protected on farms by the local people. It can be propagated using fresh seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: The fruits are rich in vitamin C.
Calyx cups
Fruit
711
THE SPECIES
712
THE SPECIES
Long hairs
below leaf Variable leaf shape
Flower heads
Young fruit
Ripe fruit
713
THE SPECIES
714
THE SPECIES
Spines
715
THE SPECIES
716
THE SPECIES
ornamental. Oil extracted from the seed is used for cosmetics and for soften-
ing of hides.
SEASON: Fruits are collected from November to January.
STORAGE: Not stored.
MANAGEMENT: Fruits are collected from the wild. This species can be propagated
using fresh seed.
STATUS: Sometimes common within its area of distribution.
Flowers
Leafy shoot
Fruit
Spines
717
THE SPECIES
718
THE SPECIES
Sepal
Petal
Fruit
Fruit opening
Seed
719
THE SPECIES
720
THE SPECIES
Mature fruit
Male flowers
721
THE SPECIES
722
THE SPECIES
STORAGE: Dried leaves and bark can be stored for about 6 months. Leaves are
usually pounded and stored in powder form.
MANAGEMENT: Collected from the wild and not protected or cultivated by the local
people. The species can be propagated using fresh seed.
STATUS: Common and easily accessed.
REMARKS: One of the most important vegetable and medicinal plants of Tanzania.
Flowering stem
Thorn
723
THE SPECIES
724
THE SPECIES
Flowers
Enlarged flower
Thorns
Fruit
725
THE SPECIES
726
THE SPECIES
Thorns
Fruit
Flowering branch
727
THE SPECIES
728
THE SPECIES
Other: An important species for building poles, fuel, firewood and charcoal.
Leaves and fruits are used as fodder for livestock. Fruits are pounded and
used as fish poison.
SEASON: Fruits are collected from May to August.
STORAGE: Dried fruits can be stored for up to 6 months.
MANAGEMENT: Fruits are only collected from the wild, as the species is not culti-
vated. However, propagation can be done using fresh seed.
STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.
REMARKS: A hardy, fast-growing and coppicing species suitable for agroforestry.
Flowering head
Fruit
Thorns
729
THE SPECIES
730
APPENDICES
Appendices
731
APPENDICES
Appendix I
Summary table of parts of the plant used for food
Species Leaves Underground Seeds Bark
Stems par ts Fruits Gum
Flowers Sap
Abutilon angulatum x
Abutilon longicuspe x
Abutilon mauritianum x
Acacia nilotica x
Acacia senegal x
Acalypha bipartita x
Acalypha fruticosa x
Acalypha ornata x
Acanthopale laxiflora x
Achyranthes aspera x
Acokanthera oppositifolia x
Acokanthera schimperi x
Adansonia digitata x x
Adenia gummifera x
Aerva lanata x
Aerva leucura x
Aframomum angustifolium x
Allanblackia stuhlmannii x
Allanblackia ulugurensis x
Aloe nutii x
Alsodeiopsis schumanii x
Alternanthera tenella var. bettzickiana x
Amaranthus spinosus x
Ampelocissus africana x
Ancylobotrys petersiana x
Anisophyllea boehmii x
Anisophyllea pomifera x
Annona senegalensis x
Annona stenophylla x
Antidesma venosum x
Asparagus africanus x x
Asparagus flagellaris x
Asystasia gangetica x
Asystasia mysorensis x
Azanza garckeana x
Balanites aegyptiaca x
Balanites rotundifolia x
Balanites wilsoniana x
Bauhinia kalantha x
Berchemia discolor x
732
APPENDICES
733
APPENDICES
734
APPENDICES
735
APPENDICES
736
APPENDICES
737
APPENDICES
738
APPENDICES
739
APPENDICES
Appendix II
Workshop participants
Chamgulu, Henry A. Moshi, Mary A.
Farmer Nutritionist
P.O. Box 1880 P.O. Box 290
Morogoro Iringa
Felix, Ester Mtengela, Medson
Forest Assistant Farmer
P.O. Box 148 P.O. Box 260 Kisinga
Iringa Iringa
Fivawo, Bonus Mtisi, Argentina C.
Farmer Agricultural. Extension Officer
P.O. Box 170 Idodi
Iringa P.O. Box 290
Iringa
Kimaru, Gathiru
Soil Conservatiom Advisor Mvile, Wilibathi V.
RELMA Farmer
P.O. Box 63403 P.O. Box 129
Nairobi, Kenya Itulike
Njombe
Lupala, Emanuel
Assistant Forest Officer Nyambo, Agnes T.
P.O. Box 148 Horticulturist
Iringa District Agricultural Office
Kinondoni
Lyimo, Monica
P.O. Box 90532
Lecturer
Dar es Salaam
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Tel: 023-2666853
P.O. Box 3006
Morogoro Nyomora, Dr Agnes M.S.
Lecturer/Researcher
Mabula, Charles K.
Botany Department
Botanist
University of Dar es Salaam
TAFORI
P.O. Box 35060
P.O. Box 95
Dar es Salaam
Lushoto
Nyoni, Anna
Makambe, Melienziana
Farmer
Farmer
P.O. Box 583
Usolanga
Iringa
Ismani
Iringa Osman, Yusuf
Farmer
Mnuka, Florent
P.O. Box 1226
Farmer
Kalenga
P.O. Box 99
Iringa
Moshi
Tel: 51996
740
WORKSHOP PA
ARTICIPANTS
PPENDICES
Ruffo, Christopher K.
Botanist
National Tree Seed Project (NTSP)
P.O. Box 373
Morogoro
Tel: 023-23192/23903
E-mail: ntsp@twiga.com
Samsoni, Clement
Assistant Forest Officer
P.O. Box 1576
Dodoma
Shellimoh, Muniry
Assistant Forest Officer
National Tree Seed Project (NTSP)
P.O. Box 1121
Iringa
Tangwa, Jonathan
Forest Officer
Forest Division Headquarters
Idara ya Misitu na Nyuki
P.O. Box 426
Dar es Salaam
Tengnäs, Bo
RELMA Agroforestry Consultant
Torsaberga S-31038
Simlångsdalen
Sweden
Temu, R.P.C.
Senior Lecturer
Sokoine University of Agriculture
P.O. Box 3184
Morogoro
741
APPENDICES
742
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bibliography
Acland, J.D. 1971. East African Crops: An Introduction to the Production of Field
and Plantation Crops in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. FAO/Longman.
Agnew, A.D.Q. and Agnew, S.A. 1994. Upland Kenya Wild Flowers: A Flora of
Ferns and Herbaceous Flowering Plants of Kenya. 2nd edition. Nairobi: East
African National History Society (EANHS).
Arhen, K. 1985. Pastoral Man in the Garden of Eden: The Maasai of the Ngorongoro
Conservation Area, Tanzania. Research Reports in Cultural Anthropology.
Uppsala: University of Uppsala.
Ayensu, E.S. 1983. “Endangered plants used in traditional medicine.” In:
Bannerman, R.H., Burton, J. and Ch’en, W-C. (eds). Traditional Medicine
and Health Care Coverage: A Reader for Health Administrators and Practi-
tioners. Geneva: WHO.
Bakhru, H.K. 1990. Foods that Heal: The Natural Way to Good Health. Delhi,
India: Orient Paperbacks.
Bakhru, H.K. 1990. Herbs that Heal: Natural Remedies for Good Health. Delhi,
India: Orient Paperbacks.
Beentje, H.J. 1994. Kenya Trees, Shrubs and Lianes. Nairobi: National Museums
of Kenya.
Blundell, M. 1987. Collins Guide to the Wild Flowers of East Africa. London:
Collins.
Brenan, J.P.M. and Greenway, P.J. 1949. Checklists of Forest Trees and Shrubs
of the British Empire. No.5. Tanganyika Territory, Part II. Oxford: Imperial
Forestry Institute.
Campbell, A. 1986. “The use of wild food plants and drought in Botswana.” Jour-
nal of Arid Environment (National Museums and Art Gallery, Gaborone, Bot-
swana) 11(1):81–91.
Campbell, B. 1996. The Miombo in Transition: Woodlands and Welfare in Africa.
Bogor, Indonesia: Centre for International Forest Research.
Chittenden, F.J. (ed.). 1951. Dictionary of Gardening: A Practical and Scientific
Encyclopaedia of Horticulture. Volumes I–IV. The Royal Horticultural Society.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.
743
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Dale, I.R. and Greenway, P.J. 1961. Kenya Trees and Shrubs. London: Hatchard’s
and Buchanan’s Kenya Estates Ltd.
Dalziel, J.M. 1937. The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. London: Crown
Agents.
Dery, B.B., Otsyina, R. and Ng’atigwa, C. 1999. Indigenous Knowledge of Medici-
nal Trees and Setting Priorities for their Domestication in Shinyanga Region,
Tanzania. Nairobi: ICRAF.
Dupriez, H. and de Leener, P. 1989. African Gardens and Orchards: Growing
Vegetables and Fruit. London: Macmillan (in association with Terres et Vie,
Belgium and CTA, The Netherlands).
Eggeling, J.W. and Dale, I R. 1951. The Iindigenous Trees of Uganda Protector-
ate, Entebbe. Entebbe, Uganda: Government of Uganda Protectorate.
Falck, Z. and Roponen, S. 1994. A Botanical Inventory of Rau Forest Reserve in
Moshi, Tanzania, Including a Check-list and Notes on Medicinal and other
Traditional Uses of Plants: A Minor Field Study. Uppsala: Uppsala Univer-
sity.
Falconer, J. and Arnold, J.E.M. 1991. Household Food Security and Forestry: An
Analysis of Socio-economic Issues. Community Forestry Note No. 1. Rome: FAO.
Falconer, J. and Kopell, C. 1990. The Major Significance of “Minor” Forest Prod-
ucts: The Local Use and Value of Forests in the West African Humid Forest
Zone. Community Forestry Note No. 6. Rome: FAO.
FAO. 1968. Food Composition Tables for Use in East Africa. Rome: FAO.
FAO. 1983. Food and Fruit-Bearing Forest Species: Examples from Eastern Af-
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FAO. 1986. Some Medicinal Forest Plants of Africa and Latin America. Forestry
Paper 67. Rome: FAO.
FAO. 1987. Common Weeds of East Africa. Rome: FAO.
FAO. 1988. Review of Food Consumption Surveys. FAO Nutrition Paper 44. Rome:
FAO.
FAO. 1988. Vegetable Production Under Arid and Semi-Arid Conditions in Tropi-
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FAO. 1989. Forestry and Food Security. FAO Forestry Paper No. 90. Rome: FAO.
FAO. 1989. Guidelines for Integrating Nutrition Concerns into Forestry Projecst.
Rome: FAO.
FAO. 1989. Traditional Food Plants. Food and Nutrition Paper. Rome: FAO.
FAO. 1989. Utlilization of Tropical Foods: Trees. FAO Nutrition Paper 47/3. Rome:
FAO.
FAO. 1990. Utilization of Tropical Foods: Fruits and Leaves. FAO Nutritional
Paper 47/7. Rome: FAO.
FAO 1990. The Local Use and Value of Forests in the West Africa Humid Forest
Zone: The Major Significance of Minor Forest Products. Community Forestry
Note No. 6. Rome: FAO.
Fleuret, A. 1979. The Role of Wild Foliage in the Diet: A Case Study from Lushoto,
Tanzania: Ecology of Food and Nutrition. 8(2):87–93.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
746
BIBLIOGRAPHY
747
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Verdcourt, B. and Trump, E.C. 1969. Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of East
Africa. London: Collins.
Verheij, E.M. and Coronel, R.E. 1991. Plant Resources of South-East Asia. No 2.
Edible Fruits and Nuts. Wageningen, The Netherlands: Pudoc/Prosea Foun-
dation, Bogor, Indonesia.
Watt, J.M. and Breyer-Brandwijk, M.G. 1962. Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of
Southern and Eastern Africa. Edinburgh and London: Livingstone.
Weiss, E. 1989. Guide to Plants Tolerant of Arid and Semi-arid Conditions: No-
menclature and Uses. Range Management Handbook III/1. German Agricul-
tural Team, Ministry of Livestock Development, Range Management Division.
Weikersheim, Germany: Margraf Scientific Publishers.
Westman, P. 1990. Trees and Shrubs of Babati District, Tanzania: A Checklist.
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. Working Paper 137. Uppsala: IRDC.
White, F. 1983. The Vegetation of Africa. Paris: UNESCO.
Williams, C.N. 1975. The Agronomy of the Major Tropical Crops. Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia: Oxford University Press.
Williams, C.N., Chew, W.Y. and Rajaratnam, J.A. 1980. Tree and Field Crops of
the Wetter Regions of the Tropics. London: Longman.
Zeven, A.C. and de Wet, J.M.J. 1982. Dictionary of Cultivated Plants and their
Regions of Diversity: Excluding Most Ornamentals, Forest Trees and Lower
Plants. Wageningen, The Netherlands: Pudoc.
748
LIST OF FAMILIES AND SPECIES
749
LIST OF FAMILIES AND SPECIES
Annonaceae
Annona senegalensis (A. chrysophylla)
Annona stenophylla
Friesodielsia obovata (Popowia obovata)
Hexalobus monopetalus
Monanthotaxis poggei
Polyceratocarpus scheffleri
Uvaria acuminata
Uvaria kirkii
Uvaria lucida subsp. lucida
Apocynaceae
Acokanthera oppositifolia
Acokanthera schimperi
Ancylobotrys petersiana (Landolphia petersiana)
Carissa edulis
Dictyophleba lucida (Landolphia lucida)
Landolphia kilimanjarica (L. buchananii)
Landolphia kirkii
Landolphia parvifolia
Saba comorensis (S. florida)
Araceae
Pistia stratiotes
Typhonodorum lindleyanum
Araliaceae
Cussonia spicata
Arecaceae (Palmae)
Borassus aethiopum
Hyphaene compressa
Hyphaene coriacea (H. pileata)
Hyphaene petersiana (H. ventricosa)
Phoenix reclinata
Raphia farinifera
Asparagaceae
Asparagus africanus (A. abyssinicus)
Asparagus flagellaris (A. nudicaulis)
Asteraceae (Compositae)
Bidens pilosa
Bidens schimperi
Emilia coccinea
Guizotia scabra
Sonchus luxurians
Balanitaceae
Balanites aegyptiaca
750
LIST OF FAMILIES AND SPECIES
751
LIST OF FAMILIES AND SPECIES
Caryophyllaceae
Drymaria cordata
Cecropiaceae
Myrianthus arboreus
Myrianthus holstii
Celastraceae
Salacia leptoclada
Chenopodiaceae
Chenopodium opulifolium
Chrysobalanaceae
Hirtella megacarpa (Acioa goetzeana)
Maranthes goetzeniana (Parinari goetzeniana)
Parinari curatellifolia subsp. curatellifolia
Parinari excelsa (P. holstii)
Clusiaceae (Guttiferae)
Allanblackia stuhlmanii
Allanblackia ulugurensis
Garcinia buchananii (G. huillensis)
Garcinia livingstonei
Harungana madagascariensis
Mammea usambarensis
Psorospermum febrifugum
Combretaceae
Combretum padoides
Commelinaceae
Commelina africana
Commelina benghalensis
Connaraceae
Rourea orientalis (Byrsocarpus orientalis)
Convolvulaceae
Convolvulus farinosus
Hewittia sublobata
Ipomoea cairica var. cairica
Ipomoea eriocarpa
Ipomoea pres-caprae (I. biloba)
Jacquemontia tamnifolia
Cucurbitaceae
Coccinia grandis
Cucumis dipsaceus
Cucumis figarei
Kedrostis leloja
752
LIST OF FAMILIES AND SPECIES
Momordica foetida
Momordica rostrata
Peponium vogelii
Dioscoreaceae
Dioscorea dumetorum
Dioscorea odoratissima
Dioscorea quartiniana var. quartiniana
Dracaenaceae
Dracaena mannii (D. usambarensis)
Ebenaceae
Diospyros kirkii
Diospyros mespiliformis
Euphorbiaceae
Acalypha bipartita
Acalypha fruticosa
Acalypha ornata
Antidesma venosum
Bridelia micrantha
Erythrococca kirkii
Flueggea virosa (Securinega virosa)
Oldfieldia dactylophylla
Phyllanthus engleri
Ricinodendron heudelotii subsp. africanum
Tragia insuarvis
Uapaca kirkiana
Uapaca nitida
Uapaca paludosa (U. guineensis)
Uapaca sansibarica (U. macrocephala)
Flacourtiaceae
Dovyalis abyssinica
Dovyalis macrocalyx
Flacourtia indica
Oncoba spinosa
Scolopia rhamniphylla
Scolopia zeyheri
Xylotheca tettensis var. kirkii
Hydnoraceae
Hydnora abyssinica (H. johannis)
Icacinaceae
Alsodeiopsis schumanii
Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Hoslundia opposita
753
LIST OF FAMILIES AND SPECIES
Leonotis nepetifolia
Platostoma africanum
Lobeliaceae
Lobelia fervens subsp. fervens (L. anceps)
Loganiaceae
Strychnos cocculoides
Strychnos innocua
Strychnos madagascariensis (S. dysophylla)
Strychnos spinosa subsp. lokua
Malvaceae
Abutilon angulatum
Abutilon longicuspe
Abutilon mauritianum
Azanza garckeana
Hibiscus acetosella
Hibiscus calyphyllus
Hibiscus diversifolius
Hibiscus surattensis
Malva parviflora
Meliaceae
Trichilia dregeana
Trichilia emetica
Mimosaceae
Acacia nilotica
Acacia senegal
Parkia filicoidea
Moraceae
Ficus stuhlmannii
Ficus sur (F. capensis)
Ficus sycomorus
Ficus vallis-choudae
Treculia africana
Trilepisium madagascariense
Musaceae
Ensete ventricosum (Musa ensete)
Myrsinaceae
Embelia schimperi
Myrsine africana
Myrtaceae
Eugenia capensis subsp. nyassensis (E. bukobensis)
Syzygium cordatum
754
LIST OF FAMILIES AND SPECIES
Syzygium guineense
Syzygium owariense
Nymphaeaceae
Nymphaea lotus
Olacaceae
Ximenia americana
Ximenia caffra
Opiliaceae
Opilia amentacea (O. celtidifolia)
Orchidaceae
Habenaria epipactidea (H. foliosa)
Habenaria walleri (H. soyauxii)
Satyrium macrophyllum (S. cheirophorum)
Satyrium neglectum var. neglectum
Papilionaceae
Crotalaria natalitia var. natalitia
Dalbergia nitidula
Dolichos trilobus
Eriosema burkei var. burkei
Ormocarpum kirkii
Pseudeminia comosa
Vigna pubescens
Passifloraceae
Adenia gummifera
Pedaliaceae
Ceratotheca sesamoides
Sesamothamnus busseanus
Sesamum angolense
Sesamum calycinum var. angustifolium (S. angustifolium)
Piperaceae
Piper guineense
Poaceae (Gramineae)
Dactyloctenium aegyptium
Dactyloctenium giganteum
Sorghum purpureo-sericeum
Polygalaceae
Carpolobia goetzii
Oxygonum sinuatum
Polygonum salicifolium (P. serrulatum)
Rumex abyssinicus
Rumex usambarensis
755
LIST OF FAMILIES AND SPECIES
Portulacaceae
Portulaca oleracea
Talinum portulacifolium (T. cuneifolium)
Resedaceae
Caylusea abyssinica
Rhamnaceae
Berchemia discolor
Ziziphus abyssinica
Ziziphus mauritiana
Ziziphus mucronata subsp. mucronata
Rhizophoraceae
Anisophyllea boehmii
Anisophyllea pomifera
Rosaceae
Rubus apetalus (R. adolfi-friedericii)
Rubiaceae
Canthium burttii
Canthium lactescens
Canthium oligocarpum subsp. oligocarpum
Coffea eugenioides
Coffea mufindiensis
Fadogia ancylantha
Fadogia cienkowskii var. cienkowskii
Fadogia elskensii var. elskensii
Fadogia homblei
Feretia apodanthera subsp. tanzaniensis
Leptactina benguelensis
Multidentia crassa (Canthium crassum)
Oldenlandia corymbosa var. corymbosa
Polysphaeria parvifolia
Psydrax parviflora subsp. rubrocostata
Pygmaeothamnus zeyheri
Pyrostria bibracteata (Canthium bibracteatum)
Rothmannia engleriana
Rubia cordifolia
Tapiphyllum burnettii
Tapiphyllum cinerascens var. cinerascens
Vangueria apiculata
Vangueria infausta subsp. rotundata
Vangueria madagascariensis (V. acutiloba)
Vangueria volkensii
Vangueriopsis lanciflora
756
LIST OF FAMILIES AND SPECIES
Rutaceae
Zanthoxylum chalybeum var. chalybeum (Fagara chalybea)
Salvadoraceae
Salvadora persica
Santalaceae
Osyris lanceolata (O. compressa)
Sapindaceae
Chytranthus obliquinervis
Deinbollia borbonica
Deinbollia kilimandscharica var. kilimandscharica
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius subsp. vaughanii
Lepisanthes senegalensis (Aphania senegalensis)
Pappea capensis
Zanha africana (Dialiopsis africana)
Sapotaceae
Englerophytum magalismontanum (Bequaertiodendron magalismontanum)
Englerophytum natalense (Bequaertiodendron natalense)
Inhambanella henriquesii
Manilkara dawei
Manilkara discolor
Manilkara mochisia
Manilkara obovata
Manilkara sansibarensis
Manilkara sulcata
Mimusops kummel
Mimusops obtusifolia (M. fruticosa)
Pouteria adolfi-friedericii subsp. australis (Aningeria adolfi-friedericii)
Synsepalum brevipes (Pachystela brevipes)
Synsepalum msolo (Pachystela msolo)
Solanaceae
Lycium europaeum
Nicandra physaloides
Solanum anguivii (S. indicum)
Solanum schumannianum
Sterculiaceae
Cola scheffleri
Sterculia africana
Sterculia appendiculata
Sterculia tragacantha
Taccaceae
Tacca leontopetaloides (T. involucrata)
757
LIST OF FAMILIES AND SPECIES
Thymelaeaceae
Synaptolepis alternifolia
Synaptolepis kirkii
Tiliaceae
Carpodiptera africana
Corchorus tridens
Corchorus trilocularis
Grewia bicolor
Grewia conocarpoides
Grewia mollis
Grewia platyclada
Grewia similis
Grewia trichocarpa
Grewia villosa
Triumfetta cordifolia var. tomentosa
Urticaceae
Laportea ovalifolia (Fleurya ovalifolia)
Pouzolzia mixta (P. hypoleuca)
Urtica massaica
Verbenaceae
Lantana camara
Lantana trifolia
Lantana ukambensis (L. rhodesiensis)
Lippia kituiensis (L. ukambensis)
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
Vitex doniana
Vitex ferruginea
Vitex fischeri
Vitex madiensis subsp. milanjiensis
Vitex mombassae
Vitex payos var. payos
Vitaceae
Ampelocissus africana
Cissus cornifolia
Cyphostemma njegerre
Zamiaceae
Encephalartos hildebrandtii
Zingiberaceae
Aframomum angustifolium
Zygophyllaceae
Tribulus terrestris
758
INDEX OF SPECIES
Index of species
Abutilon angulatum ............................. 68 Balanites aegyptiaca ........................... 140
Abutilon longicuspe .............................. 70 Balanites rotundifolia (B. orbicularis) 142
Abutilon mauritianum ......................... 72 Balanites wilsoniana .......................... 144
Acacia nilotica ...................................... 74 Bauhinia kalantha .............................. 146
Acacia senegal ...................................... 76 Berchemia discolor ............................ 148
Acalypha bipartita ................................ 78 Bidens pilosa ...................................... 150
Acalypha fruticosa ................................ 80 Bidens schimperi ................................ 152
Acalypha ornata ................................... 82 Bombax rhodognaphalon var.
Acanthopale laxiflora ........................... 84 tomentosum ................................... 154
Achyranthes aspera .............................. 86 Borassus aethiopum ........................... 156
Acokanthera oppositifolia .................... 88 Brexia madagascariensis ................... 158
Acokanthera schimperi ........................ 90 Bridelia micrantha ............................. 160
Adansonia digitata ............................... 92 Bussea massaiensis (Peltophorum
Adenia gummifera ................................ 94 massaiense) .................................... 162
Aerva lanata ......................................... 96 Canarium schweinfurthii ................... 164
Aerva leucura ....................................... 98 Canthium burttii ................................ 166
Aframomum angustifolium ............... 100 Canthium lactescens .......................... 168
Allanblackia stuhlmannii ................... 104 Canthium oligocarpum subsp.
Allanblackia ulugurensis ................... 106 oligocarpum .................................... 170
Aloe nutii ............................................ 108 Cardamine trichocarpa ...................... 172
Alsodeiopsis schumannii ................... 110 Carissa edulis ..................................... 174
Alternanthera tenella Carpodiptera africana ........................ 176
var. bettzickiana ............................. 112 Carpolobia goetzii ............................... 178
Amaranthus spinosus ........................ 114 Caylusea abyssinica ........................... 180
Ampelocissus africana ........................ 116 Celosia trigyna ................................... 182
Ancylobotrys petersiana (Landolphia Ceratotheca sesamoides ..................... 184
petersiana) ...................................... 118 Chenopodium opulifolium ................. 186
Anisophyllea boehmii ......................... 120 Chytranthus obliquinervis ................. 188
Anisophyllea pomifera ........................ 122 Cissus cornifolia ................................. 190
Annona senegalensis Cleome hirta ....................................... 192
(A. chrysophylla) ............................ 124 Cleome monophylla ............................ 194
Annona stenophylla .......................... 126 Coccinia grandis ................................. 196
Antidesma venosum ........................... 128 Coffea eugenioides .............................. 198
Asparagus africanus (A. abyssinicus) 130 Coffea mufindiensis ............................ 200
Asparagus flagellaris (A. nudicaulis) . 132 Cola scheffleri ..................................... 202
Asystasia gangetica ............................ 134 Combretum padoides ......................... 204
Asystasia mysorensis (A. schimperi) . 136 Commelina africana ........................... 206
Azanza garckeana ............................... 138 Commelina benghalensis ................... 208
759
INDEX OF SPECIES
Commiphora africana ........................ 210 Eriosema burkei var. burkei .............. 296
Commiphora mossambicensis ........... 212 Erythrococca kirkii ............................ 298
Convolvulus farinosus ....................... 214 Eugenia capensis subsp. nyassensis
Corchorus tridens .............................. 216 (E. bukobensis) ............................... 300
Corchorus trilocularis ........................ 218 Fadogia ancylantha ........................... 302
Cordia monoica .................................. 220 Fadogia cienkowskii
Cordia sinensis (C. gharaf) ................ 222 var. cienkowskii .............................. 304
Cordyla africana ................................. 224 Fadogia elskensii var. elskensii ......... 306
Cordyla densiflora .............................. 226 Fadogia homblei ................................. 308
Crotalaria natalitia var. natalitia ...... 228 Feretia apodanthera
Cucumis dipsaceus ............................. 230 subsp. tanzaniensis ........................ 310
Cucumis figarei .................................. 232 Ficus stuhlmannii .............................. 312
Cussonia spicata ................................. 234 Ficus sur (F. capensis) ....................... 314
Cyathula orthacantha ........................ 236 Ficus sycomorus ................................ 316
Cyphostemma njegerre ...................... 238 Ficus vallis-choudae ........................... 318
Dactyloctenium aegyptium ................ 240 Flacourtia indica ................................ 322
Dactyloctenium giganteum ................ 242 Flueggea virosa (Securinega virosa) . 324
Dalbergia nitidula .............................. 244 Friesodielsia obovata (Popowia
Deinbollia borbonica .......................... 246 obovata) .......................................... 326
Deinbollia kilimandscharica var. Garcinia buchananii (G. huillensis) ... 328
kilimandscharica ............................ 248 Garcinia livingstonei .......................... 330
Delonix elata ....................................... 250 Grewia bicolor .................................... 332
Dialium holtzii ................................... 252 Grewia conocarpoides ........................ 334
Dialium orientale ............................... 254 Grewia mollis ..................................... 336
Dicliptera laxata ................................. 256 Grewia platyclada .............................. 338
Dictyophleba lucida (Landolphia Grewia similis .................................... 340
lucida) ............................................. 258 Grewia trichocarpa ............................ 342
Dioscorea dumetorum ....................... 260 Grewia villosa ..................................... 344
Dioscorea odoratissima ..................... 262 Guizotia scabra .................................. 346
Dioscorea quartiniana Habenaria epipactidea (H. foliosa) .... 348
var. quartiniana ............................. 264 Habenaria walleri (H. soyauxii) ......... 350
Diospyros kirkii .................................. 268 Harungana madagascariensis ........... 352
Diospyros mespiliformis .................... 270 Heliotropium zeylanicum
Dolichos trilobus ................................ 272 (H. subulatum) ............................... 354
Dovyalis abyssinica ............................ 274 Hewittia sublobata ............................. 356
Dovyalis macrocalyx .......................... 276 Hexalobus monopetalus ..................... 358
Dracaena mannii (D. usambarensis) . 278 Hibiscus acetosella ............................. 360
Drymaria cordata .............................. 280 Hibiscus calyphyllus .......................... 362
Duosperma crenatum ........................ 282 Hibiscus diversifolius ......................... 364
Embelia schimperi .............................. 284 Hibiscus surattensis ........................... 366
Emilia coccinea .................................. 286 Hirtella megacarpa (Acioa
Encephalartos hildebrandtii .............. 288 goetzeana) ....................................... 368
Englerophytum magalismontanum Hoslundia opposita ............................ 370
(Bequaertiodendron magalis- Hydnora abyssinica (H. johannis) ..... 372
montanum) ..................................... 290 Hygrophila auriculata
Englerophytum natalense (Asteracantha longifolia) ................ 374
(Bequaertiodendron natalense) ...... 292 Hyphaene compressa ......................... 376
Ensete ventricosum (Musa ensete) .... 294 Hyphaene coriacea (H. pileata) .......... 378
760
INDEX OF SPECIES
Hyphaene petersiana (H. ventricosa) 380 Mimusops obtusifolia (M. fruticosa) .. 458
Inhambanella henriquesii .................. 382 Mollugo cerviana ................................ 460
Ipomoea cairica var. cairica ............... 384 Momordica foetida ............................. 462
Ipomoea eriocarpa .............................. 386 Momordica rostrata ........................... 464
Ipomoea pres-caprae (I. biloba) .......... 388 Monanthotaxis poggei ........................ 466
Isoglossa lactea .................................. 390 Multidentia crassa (Canthium
Jacquemontia tamnifolia ................... 392 crassum) ......................................... 468
Justicia heterocarpa ........................... 394 Myrianthus arboreus ......................... 470
Kedrostis leloja .................................. 396 Myrianthus holstii ............................. 472
Kigelia africana (K. pinnata, K. Myrsine africana ................................ 474
aethiopum) ..................................... 398 Nicandra physaloides ........................ 476
Landolphia kilimanjarica Nymphaea lotus ................................. 478
(L. buchananii) ............................... 400 Oldenlandia corymbosa
Landolphia kirkii ............................... 402 var. corymbosa ............................... 480
Landolphia parvifolia ......................... 404 Oldfieldia dactylophylla ..................... 482
Lannea fulva ....................................... 406 Oncoba spinosa .................................. 484
Lannea humilis .................................. 408 Opilia amentacea (O. celtidifolia) ...... 486
Lannea rivae (L. floccosa ) ................. 410 Opuntia vulgaris (O. ficus-indica) ..... 488
Lannea schweinfurthii var. Ormocarpum kirkii ............................ 490
stuhlmannii (L. stuhlmannii) ........ 412 Osyris lanceolata (O. compressa) ...... 492
Lantana camara ................................. 414 Oxygonum sinuatum ......................... 494
Lantana trifolia .................................. 416 Pappea capensis .................................. 496
Lantana ukambensis Parinari curatellifolia subsp.
(L. rhodesiensis) ............................. 418 curatellifolia ................................... 498
Laportea ovalifolia (Fleurya Parinari excelsa (P. holstii) ............... 500
ovalifolia) ........................................ 420 Parkia filicoidea ................................. 502
Lecaniodiscus fraxinifolius subsp. Peponium vogelii ................................ 504
vaughanii ........................................ 422 Phoenix reclinata ............................... 506
Leonotis nepetifolia ............................ 424 Phyllanthus engleri ............................ 508
Lepisanthes senegalensis (Aphania Piliostigma thonningii (Bauhinia
senegalensis) ................................... 426 thonningii) ...................................... 510
Leptactina benguelensis ..................... 428 Piper guineense .................................. 512
Lippia kituiensis (L. ukambensis) ...... 430 Pistacia aethiopica ............................. 514
Lobelia fervens subsp. fervens Pistia stratiotes .................................. 516
(L. anceps) ...................................... 432 Platostoma africanum ....................... 518
Lycium europaeum ............................ 434 Polyceratocarpus scheffleri ................ 520
Maerua decumbens (M. edulis) .......... 436 Polygonum salicifolium
Malva parviflora ................................. 438 (P. serrulatum) ............................... 522
Mammea usambarensis ..................... 440 Polysphaeria parvifolia ...................... 524
Manilkara dawei ................................. 442 Portulaca oleracea .............................. 526
Manilkara discolor ............................. 444 Pouteria adolfi-friedericii subsp.
Manilkara mochisia ........................... 446 australis (Aningeria
Manilkara obovata ............................. 448 adolfi-friedericii) ............................. 528
Manilkara sansibarensis .................... 450 Pouzolzia mixta (P. hypoleuca) ......... 530
Manilkara sulcata .............................. 452 Pseudeminia comosa ......................... 532
Maranthes goetzeniana (Parinari Pseudospondias microcarpa .............. 534
goetzeniana) .................................... 454 Psorospermum febrifugum ................ 536
Mimusops kummel ............................. 456
761
INDEX OF SPECIES
762
INDEX OF SPECIES
763
INDEX OF SPECIES
764
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766
The soils of Ethiopia: annotated bibliography
Berhanu Debele. 1994. TH No. 9. ISBN 9966-896-21-X
Soil conservation in Arusha Region, Tanzania: manual for extension workers with emphasis on
small-scale farmers
Per Assmo and Arne Eriksson. 1994. TH No. 7. ISBN 9966-896-19-8
Useful trees and shrubs for Tanzania: identification, propagation and management for agricultural
and pastoral communities
L.P. Mbuya, H.P. Msanga, C.K. Ruffo, Ann Birnie and Bo Tengnäs. 1994. TH No. 6. ISBN 9966-896-16-3
Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia: identification, propagation and management for agricultural
and pastoral communities
Azene Bekele-Tessema, Ann Birnie and Bo Tengnäs. 1993. TH No. 5. ISBN 9966-896-15-5
Agroforestry manual for extension workers with emphasis on small-scale farmers in Eastern
Province, Zambia
Samuel Simute. 1992. TH No. 2. ISBN 9966-896-07-4
ISBN 9966-896-62-7
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