Scientific
name
Cordia monoica1 (Roxb.)
Cordia
ovalis DC. (Synonym)
Family name
Boraginaceae
Local name(s)
Tolo’ota
(Konsogna), Marergom, Marer-girgir (Somali), Qotte, Mader (Borena)
General description
Spreading,
much branched bush, shrub or tree to 6m high (normally 3-5m). If left untouched
(not pruned) it could grow to a tree. The bark is yellow to ash grey, smooth and
flaking. Flowers are of cream colour that turn brown when drying. The fruits are
yellowish or orange circulars up to 2cm across.
Edible part(s),
preparation methods and palatability
Fruits
are edible. The fruit coat is normally removed and the pulp together with the
seed is sucked and the seed afterwards discarded. The fruits are picked and
consumed raw by children in normal times. But when food shortage occurs, all
people, children and adults alike, collect and eat it. The fruit tastes very
sweet and similar to the fruit of C. sinensis, (‘Maderta’ in
Konsogna).
Agroecology
The
species grows in India, Sri Lanka and in Africa from Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia,
Kenya down to South Africa. It is very common along valley bottoms and
watercourses on rocky areas and red clay soils from sea level to 2,200m.
Propagation
method(s)
Propagates
by seeds sown directly and without pre-treatment.
Sample location(s)
Jarso Kebele, Konso
Remarks
The
species is also used for live fencing, firewood, char coal, handles , wood
carving, beehive hooks. The leaves are camel and goat fodder.
1 Parts
of the following description have been taken from Maundu et al., 1999: p. 103
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