Scientific
name
Euclea schimperi1 &
divinorum (Hiern)
Family name
Ebenaceae
Local name(s)
Maqayita (Konsogna), Dedeho (Amharic),
Miessa (Oromiffa)
General description
It
is an evergreen shrub or small tree (3-5 m) with dense foliage growing in
bushland and riverine forest area with a similar shape as the well-known olive
trees of southern Europe. Leaves are opposite and the tip of the leaf is rounded
and narrowing to the petiole. Flowers are cream-white and sweet-scented. The
fruits are very small, round and green at early growth stage and purple-black
when ripened.
Edible part(s),
preparation methods and palatability
Fruits
are collected for their thin edible flesh around the seeds enjoyed by children
in normal times. Adults also collect and benefit from the fruits in bad times.
The ripe purple-black fruits have a sweet edible pulp. The edible part is
however, scanty, much of the fruit being seed, which is discarded.
Agroecology
The
species grows in many places throughout Africa on rocky hillsides, in dry
woodland, bushland, riverine forests and marginal arid areas in dry, moist and
wet mid- and lowlands (1,500 – 2,300m).
Propagation
method(s)
Seedlings.
Sample location(s)
(1) Jarso Kebele, Konso; (2) Abay
Gorge, Nefas Meychew (South Gonder)
Remarks
E.
divinorum
is an important medicinal plant. Roots and extract of roots sometimes mixed with
other ingredients of other plants are a useful medicine to treat chest pains,
pneumonia, internal body pains, stomach-ache and diarrhea. Chewed roots ease
toothache. The wood is used for firewood and farm tools. Branches are commonly
used as toothbrushes.
1 Parts of the following
description have been taken from Bekele-Tesemma et al., 1993: p. 234/235 and
Maundu et al., 1999: p. 130
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