Tanzania’s Wild Plants

Background information; by edgardowelelo@yahoo.com, Master of the Game

Tanzania, with an area of 947,300 Sq. km, 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 Tanzania, many of which are so – called endemic species, meaning that they are only found in Tanzania.

BIODIVERSITY AND THE VEGETATION OF 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 as follows;

1. AFRO – MONTANE REGION

The Afro – Montane Region covers the high mountain areas of Tanzania, including Kilimanjaro, Meru, Ngorongoro, Hanang, Rungwe, Mbizi and Makale. Afro – montane vegetation is also found in the eastern arc mountains that stretch from southern Kenya’s Taita hills to Makambako gap in southern Tanzania which include North and South Pare Mountains in Kilimanjaro region, West and East Usambara Mountains in Tanga region, Nguu Mountains in Tanga region, Nguru, Ukaguru, Uluguru, Rubeho, Malundwe, and Mahenge Mountains in Morogoro region as well as the Udzungwa Mountains National Park in Morogoro and Iringa regions respectively.  Also, Livingstone Mountains in Southern Highland Regions.  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, eg. Coffea mongensis and Coffea mufindiensis. This region receives high rainfall (1,000 – 3,000 mm per year) and is densely populated because of the f favourable conditions for agriculture.

2. LAKE VICTORIA (NYANZA) REGION

The Lake Victoria (Nyanza) region covers the area 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.

3. SOMALI – MAASAI REGION

The Somali – Maasai Region is in the central and northern parts of Tanzania. Thickets, woodlands and grasslands dominate in this region. Acacia and Commiphora are common. There are also many endemic species of plants, e.g. Acacia tanganyikensis and Cordyla densiflora. The rainfall is low (300 – 700 mm per year) and these areas are economically important for wildlife and livestock rearing.

4. ZAMBEZIAN REGION

The Zambezian Region covers much of western and southern Tanzania and occupies about 40% of the country’s total land area. A large proportion of this zone is covered with Miombo or Brachystegia woodland with many species of Brachystegia, Julbernardia and Isoberlinia. Many edible plants and timber species are found in the Miombo woodlands.

5. ZANZIBAR – INHAMBANE REGION

The Zanzibar – Inhambane Region covers mainly the eastern parts of Tanzania.  The vegetation in this region consists mostly of coastal forests, woodlands, bushlands and thickets.  About 40% of the species found are endemic, e.g. Milletia puguensis and Philippia mafiensis.  However, most of the coastal forests, woodlands and thickets have been cleared, mainly for agricultural purposes. The indigenous forest remains in only a few areas such as Pugu, Zeraninge, Ngezi(PEMBA) and Jozani (UNGUJA/ZANZIBAR).  Jozani forest has been upgraded as Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park as the only  national park found in Zanzibar island.  All these areas, but especially the Zambezian and Zanzibar – Inhambane regions, are sources of wild foods, medicine and other products such as timber, poles and firewood. All these are essential for the livelihood of local people. Wild food plants are those plants with edible parts which are found growing naturally on farms, fallow or on uncultivated land. For example, many of the leafy vegetables are found as weeds on farmlands, fallow or abandoned farmlands, while other food plants are only found in natural forests. Several types of food can be obtained from wild plants. Leaves, either fresh or dried, frequently accompany staple grain dishes. Seeds and nuts are also used in various side dishes and sauces. Fruit are a seasonal food supply and are often eaten as snacks or made into juices. In some cases, fruit may form a very substantial part of the diet, e.g. bananas. Roots and tubers provide carbohydrates and minerals and are especially valuable dry – season and famine – period foods. Some may be eaten raw as snacks, while others require complicated processing and thus are only used in times of food scarcity. Some Acacia species such as Acacia senegal yield edible gum, and the sap from other trees is used in various ways. The bark of some trees can be eaten or used as a spice. All these types of food provide essential elements in the human diet.

The role of wild food plants for food security in Tanzania

In humid areas of Tanzania, wild food plants, especially vegetables such as Amaranthus spinosus and Bidens pilosa, are available throughout the year. But others are only available seasonally. For example, in dry areas of Tanzania vegetables are most abundant between December and June, while fruits are abundant from April to June. Some of the wild food plants, e.g. Ceratothera sesamoides, Adansonia digitata and Azanza garckeana, are collected during the peak season and preserved for use during the off – season. Some fruits such as Adansonia digitata and Tamarindus indica are dried in the sun and stored. Other fruits, for example Azanza garckeana and Vangueria infausta, may be steamed before being dried and stored. Vegetables are usually collected in large amounts, dried in the sun before or after being steamed and stored. Leafy vegetables are often dried, pounded and stored in powder form. Other wild foods such as roots and tubers of Ritchiea albersii and Dioscorea spp – are important sources of food during periods of food scarcity. In addition to making significant additions to individual family food supplies, wild food plants can contribute to household food security in other ways. Income and employment can be obtained from sale or exchange of fruit, nuts and vegetables. Juices and local alcohol drinks are made from Adansonia digitata, Tamarindus indica, Sclerocarya birrea and Uapaca kirkiana. However, although many wild food plants are used by the majority of rural Tanzanians, they are still not as much appreciated or valued as some of the introduced food plants such as Mango, Orange, Cabbage or Chinese cabbage. To a certain extent these wild food plants are still regarded as inferior and only appropriate for the poor. There is also a widespread decline in knowledge about wild food plants, especially among young people and those who live in urban areas. Many wild food plants are both nutritious and important for food security. Many tasty dishes can be prepared from such plants.

COMMON SPECIES OF TANZANIA’S WILD PLANTS

BAOBAB TREE (Adansonia digitata)

• Family: Bombacacea (Indigenous)
• LOCAL NAMES:
• Arusha: Masera, Mesera;
• Bondei: Mbuyu;
• Chagga: Mkuu;
• Digo: Mbuyu
• Gogo; Mpela
• Nyasa: Mabuyu, Malembe
• Gorowa: Dakaumo
• Hehe: Mkondo
• Iraqw: Gendaryandi
• Luguru: Mpela
• Maasai: Olmesera
• Mbugwe: Muwiye,mwiwiye,mwuwiye
• Nyamwezi: Mpela
• Pare: Mramba
• Rangi:Mwivi
• Sambaa: Tebwe
• Sandawi; Gele
• Sangu: Mkondo
• Sukuma: Mwandu, Ngwandu,Ng’wandu
• Swahili: Mbuyu, Mkuu hafungwa, Mkuu hupingwa, Muuyu.

GENERAL 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 / HABITAT: Coastal woodlands, bushlands and wooded grasslands, sometimes a riverine tree. Grows in well – drained soils, 0 – 1300 m.
• DISTRIBUTION/ RANGE; 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 porridge (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 avenue. The fibre is used for making ropes, baskets, carpets, mats, strings for musical instruments, cloths, hats, snares and brooms. The bark produces a red dye. The tree is used for fodder and religious ceremonies and is a source of bee forage. Oil from seeds can be used in making soap, and the fruit cases as ladles, ashtrays and earnings. The trunks are used for making canoes.

SEASON: Leaves are collected during the rains and the fruit during the dry season.

STORAGE: Leaves are not stored, while the fruit or fruit pulp can be stored for about a year.

MANAGEMENT : Collected from the wild and often protected by local people in homesteads and farms. Easily propagated from seeds.

STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.

REMARKS : One of the largest and longest living trees in the world (about 3,000 years). One large baobab was used by the German Colonial administration as a lock – up cell for prisoners in Kondoa – DODOMA REGION, Tanzania.

DESERT DATE TREE (Balanites aegyptiaca).

• Family: Balanitaceae (Indigenous)
• LOCAL NAMES:
• Arusha:
• Barabaig: Ganyamda; Hawi;
• Chagga: Mohoromo;
• Digo: Mwambangoma
• Fiome: Mjirya
• Gogo: Mduguyu; Mwambangoma
• Hehe: Mduguyu
• Ngindo: Mnuwili; Nduguyu;
• Gorowa: Hawi;
• Iraqw / Mbulu: Hawi; Hotlimo;
• Isanzu: Mudugunga;
• Luguru: Mkongo
• Maasai: Ilokwa (fruit); Olng’oswa
• Olokwai:Osaragi;
• Mbugwe: Modori
• Nguu: Mkonga
• Nyamwezi: Mduguyu, Mjuguyu, Muvambang’oma, Myuguyu
• Nyaturu: Mfughuyu:
• Nyiramba: Mudugunga
• Pare: Iteru, Mkisingo, Mkonga
• Rangi: Kivambang’ombe, Mdori, Mjijiva, Mjijiva, Mjijiwa, Nyijiva;
• Sukuma: Myuguyugu, Nyuguyu;
• Swahili: Mchunju, Mjunju;
• Zigua: Muwambangoma
• Zinza: Mruguhu

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A medium – sized semi – deciduous tree about 6 m, rounded – crown consisting of a tangled mass of thorny branches. BARK: Dark, cracked and corky with age. THORNS; To 8 cm, soft at first, then woody. LEAVES: Distinctive pairs of grey – green leaflets, ovate.  FLOWERS: Fragrant  yellow – green clusters, 1.5 cm across, 4 – 5 petals to 1 cm long, with 8 – 10 long central stamens: FRUIT : Date – like, about 5 cm long, both ends rounded, yellow  when ripe, a hard pointed seed 4 x 2 cm within surrounded by yellow – brown, bitter – sweet flesh, seed easily separated.

ECOLOGY / HABITAT:

Occurs from arid and semi – arid areas to sub – humid savanna.  Also found in dry wooded grasslands in low and medium – altitudes up to 2,000 m: rainfall 200 – 800 mm. Prefers valley soils; common in sand, clay, black – cotton, alluvial and stony soils.

DISTRIBUTION / RANGE:

Found in most parts of Africa and in the Middle East. Widespread  in dry areas of Tanzania.

USES:

Food:

• Fruit are edible. The ripe fallen fruit are collected and the pulp eaten fresh. They have a bitter taste (Gogo, Zigua).
• Cooking oil can be extracted from the seed. Seeds are collected, roasted, pounded and boiled in water, allowed to cool and the oil skimmed off. The oil is used for cooking vegetables such as peas, sweet potatoes or Cassava (Zigua).

MEDICINAL

• A decoction of the roots is used to treat abdominal pains, intestinal worms, diarrhoea and as an antidote for poisoning (Maasai, Zigua).
• Gum from wood is mixed with maize – meal porridge and eaten to treat chest complaints.

Commercial: Not marketed.

• Other: Livestock eat fallen fruit on the ground and browse the leaves. The wood is used for timber, poles, firewood, Charcoal, Combs, Spoons, tool handles, 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 homesteads, fields and at trading centres. Regenerates easily from root suckers and can be propagated by seed.

STATUS: Common within its area of distribution.

DOUM PALM TREE (Hyphaene compressa)

• Family: Arecaceae (Palmae) Indigenous
• LOCAL NAMES:
• Digo: Mkoma, Mkoma lume
• Gogo: Mlala
• Hehe: Kihogolo, Likweta
• Maasai: Olmorokwet
• Nyamwezi: Mlala, Mulala
• Pare: Kweche
• Swahili: Mkoma,Mkoche, Mlala, Mnyaa, Muaa.
• Zigua:

GENERAL 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 / HABITAT:

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 / RANGE:

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.

DOUM PALM TREE (Hyphaene coriacea) or (H.pileata)

• Family: Arecaceae (Palmae) indigenous
• LOCAL NAMES
• Digo: Mkoma lume
• Gogo: Mlala
• Hehe: Mlala
• Maasai: Olmorokwet
• Nyamwezi: Mulala
• Pare: Kweche
• Swahili: Mkoma, Mkoche, Mlala, Mnyaa
• Zigua: Mkonko

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A shrubby tree 1.5 – 5 m forming thickets, with trunks low along the ground, rarely a well – shaped tree, stems suckering, the trunks only branched once or twice making 4 – crowns, leaf scars prominent on the trunk, which often has many old leaf bases as well, trunk to 25 cm diameter. LEAVES: Fan shaped, 8 – 15 leaves, 30 – 80 cm long divided into 15 – 20 segments, waxy and scaly, the stalk about 70 cm with black spines to 1 cm at the base. FLOWERS: Male and female trees; male flower stalk to 1 m, arching over, with 15 – cm branchlets which bear the tiny 3 – mm yellow flowers producing pollen; female flower stalk more upright, to 1 m, with even smaller flowers, the central ovary bright green. FRUIT; Ripe fruit shiny brown, somewhat bell shaped, up to 6 cm long x 4 cm across (usually less) with a ridge on one side, not deeply pitted. A spongy fibrous pulp surrounds the seed, edible, and tasting sweet and gingerly. The fruits are produced in large quantities and take two years to mature, so maybe seen on the tree throughout the year hanging in large bunches.

ECOLOGY / HABITAT:

• Coastal regions, especially in sand dunes and beside creeks, behind mangroves, rarely inland; a pioneer stabilizer in sand dunes, 0 – 300 m.

DISTRIBUTION / RANGE

• Coastal and Western Tanzania, Pemba; Coastal Kenya, Somalia to Mozambique, South Africa and Madagascar.

USES

Food:

• The ripe fruit pulp is eaten raw. It tastes sweet and is much liked by children and herdsmen.
• Fruit Kernels are also edible.
• Young fruits produce sweet juice.
• Palm wine is produced from sap that is tapped from the tip of the main stem.

Medicinal:

• Fruit pulp is used as medicine for stomach – ache.

Commercial

• Various articles woven from the leaves are sold in local and urban markets.

Other

• Leaves are used to make mats, hats, fans, baskets and for thatching houses

SEASON

• Fruits are collected during dry season.

STORAGE

• Not stored.

MANAGEMENT

• Fruits are usually collected from the wild, but sometimes planted using fresh seeds.

STATUS

• Locally common.

DOUM PALM TREE OR FAN PALM, OR SOUTHERN ILALA PALM (Hyphaene petersiana) Indigenous

• Family Arecaceae (Palmae)
• LOCAL NAMES
• Gogo: Mulala
• Gorowa: Thati
• Iraqw / Mbulu: Thanthi
• Mbugwe: Mwangwa
• Nyamwezi: Mulala
• Sandawi: Hangwe
• Swahili: Mkoche, Mlala

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This palm is usually solitary and unbranched, but occasionally several stems may grow together: the narrow dark trunks sometimes leaning or curved, 15 – 20 m. The stem base is raised on a mass of fibrous roots and the trunk usually has a swelling 1 – 2 m below the crown.  BARK: Grey – black, clearly marked with concentric rings, the scars of old leaf growth. LEAVES: 12 – 16 fan – shaped leaves with about the same number of dead leaves, each with a stalk 1 – 2 m, including the thorny base, waxy grey – green, 20 – 50 segments joined together about half their length. FLOWERS: On male and female trees, yellow – green in hanging, hairy brown flower heads arising on sprays between the leaves. FRUIT: Round to pear shaped in large branches, each one only  5 – 8 cm long, a shiny red – brown all over,  taking a year to mature, the central stone, 3.5 cm across, easily separated from a fibrous pulp, spongy and brown to 1 cm thick. The white union – shaped seed contains a little milk (when young) and has an unpleasant smell when cut. Ripe fruit may remain 2 years on the tree.

ECOLOGY / HABITAT

Along watercourses in tropical conditions; in East Africa, inland on alkaline soils with a high water – table, elsewhere by the coast. Trees may be numerous on alluvial flats; found also on Sandy plains and in many types of woodland.

DISTRIBUTION / RANGE

In northern, central, eastern and southern Tanzania from Lakes Manyara and Eyasi southwards, throughout the Zambezi region, to northern Gauteng, Angola, Namibia and through the Congo basin to west Africa.

USES

Food:

• Ripe fruit pulp is eaten.
• Kernels are also edible.
• Young fruits produce sweet juice.
• Palm wine is produced from sap that is tapped from the tip of the main stem.

MEDICINAL

• The pulp from the fruit is used as medicine for intestinal worms and stomach – ache.

COMMERCIAL;

• Woven articles are sold in markets.

OTHER

• Leaves are used as fibre for making mats, hats, baskets, fans and for thatching houses.

SEASON

• Fruits are collected during the rainy season.

STORAGE

• Not stored.

MANAGEMENT

• Usually collected from the wild. The plant can be propagated by seed.

STATUS

• Common within its habitats.

SENEGAL DATE / WILD DATE PALM TREE

(Phoenix reclinata) Indigenous.

• Family : Arecaceae (Palmae)
• LOCAL NAMES
• Arusha; Olpiroo
• Barabaig: Millan
• Digo: Makindu, Mchindu
• Gorowa; Intsanti
• Haya; Makindu
• Iraqw / Mbulu; Thiaanthii
• Maasai; Olpiroo, Oltukai
• Ngindo; Mkindu;
• Nyamwezi; Mlala
• Nyaturu; Mkindu
• Sambaa; Mkindu, Msaa
• Sukuma; Bukindu
• Swahili; Mkindu
• Tongwe; Lusanda
• Zinza; Mchindu

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A palm tree with a creeping rootstock. The mature palm trunk may reach 10 m, slender and often bent over (‘’reclinata’’), about 25 cm in diameter, covered in very rough leaf scars. LEAVES: To 2.7 m long, growing out from a fibrous leaf sheath, the crown of about 25 leaves arching over, leaflets narrow, folded, bright shiny green, to 30 cm, stiff and pointed.  Lower leaflets spiny to 6 cm long, leaf stalk up to 50 cm. FLOWERS: Male and female on different trees. Male flowers cream – brown, to 7 mm, female flowers greenish, 2 mm. FRUIT: Yellow – brown, about 2 cm, edible.

ECOLOGY / HABITAT

A palm that usually grows in dense clumps beside swamps and rivers in humid lowland woodlands, in high land forest or on open rocky hillsides, 0 – 3000 m. Also in moist wooded savanna grassland and in thickets.

DISTRIBUTION / RANGE

Found throughout tropical Africa and widespread in Tanzania.

USES

Food;

• The ripe yellow or orange fruits are collected from the ground and eaten immediately as a refreshing snack. They are sweet and much liked by children.

Beverage: The growing shoots are tapped to make palm wine.

Commercial: Not marketed.

Other:

Leaves used to make mats and baskets. The fibres from the crushed stem are used for the manufacture of scrubbing brushes. The stems are also used for construction of livestock enclosures, houses, bridges, walls and fencing. Leaves are used for ceremonial and religious purposes, rooting and weaving mats hats and baskets. The tree is used for shade, as an ornamental and is a source of bee forage.

SEASON

• Fruits are collected at the end of the rainy season and into the dry season.

STORAGE

• Not stored.

MANAGEMENT

• Collected from the wild but also planted as an ornamental in homestead compounds. Can be propagated by seed and suckers.

STATUS

• Common in many areas, but it is troublesome to collect the fruits or leaves because of the spines on the leaves.

REMARKS

• The strong fibres from the leaves are used all over tropical Africa for making baskets, mats, etc.

AFRICAN FAN PALM TREE OR BORASSUS PALM TREE / DEBEB PALM TREE OR PALM YRA PALM TREE (Borassus aethiopum) Indigenous

• Family Arecaceae (Palmae)
• LOCAL NAMES:
• Bondei: Mvuma
• Digo: Dzova, Mvumo, Ngolokolo (fruit)
• Nyamwezi: Mhama, Muhama
• Nyaturu: Mfama
• Nyiramba: Mpama
• Sambaa: Vumo
• Sukuma: Muhama
• Swahili: Mchapa,Mtapa,Mvuma
• Ngindo: Mvumo

GENERAL 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 4m long x 3m across, deeply divided into leaflets, thorny at the base. FLOWERS: Male and Female on different trees, male producing branched spikes up to 2m 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).

ECOLOGY / HABITAT

Found where the water – table is high in wooded savanna grassland. It is usually found in sandy soil and in flood plains in dense stands, 0 – 1,200 m; rainfall 900 – 1400 mm.

DISTRIBUTION / RANGE

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 amild 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 fermented 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.

SAUSAGE TREE (Kigelia africana, Kigelia pinnata, Kigelia aethiopum) Indigenous

• Family : Bignoniaceae
• LOCAL NAMES
• Arusha: Oldaoboi
• Bena: Mfumbi
• Bondei: Mlegea
• Fipa: Nzungwa
• Gorowa: Dati
• Haya: Mzungute
• Hehe: Mfumbi
• Iraqw / Mbulu: Mangafi
• Isanzu: Mulunzi
• Luguru: Mwegea, Myegea
• Maasai: Oldaboi,Oldarpoi, Ortarboi.
• Mbugwe: Mosofua
• Mwera: Mtandi
• Ngindo: Mtandi
• Nguu: Mvungwe
• Nguru: Mvungwe
• Nyamwezi: Mdungwa, Msanghwa,Mvungwa, Mwiegea;
• Nyaturu: Mungungu
• Nyiramba:
• Rangi: Isuha, Msuha, Musuha, Musuva;
• Rufiji: Mtandi
• Sandawi: Irata, R’ata
• Sukuma: Mgwicha, Ngwicha;
• Swahili: Mbungati, Mbomba, Mranaa, Mti sumu, Mvungunya, Mvungwa, Mwicha, Mwegea
• Tongwe: Lifungwa
• Zaramo: Myigeya
• Zigua: Mvungwe
• Zinza: Mzingute

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A  semi – deciduous tree with a rounded crown, to 9 m tall in open woodland but to 18 m beside rivers. BARK: Grey – brown, smooth, flaking in round patches with age. LEAVES: compound, growing in threes, at the end of the branches, few leaflets, each broadly oval, very rough and hard, up to 10 cm, often with a sharp tip, edge wavy. Flowers on long rope – like stalks 2 – 3 m. Horizontal, reddish branches, in threes, bear up – turned trumpet – like flowers,  petals folded and wavy, dark maroon with heavy yellow veins outside, an unpleasant smell. FRUIT: Large grey – green ‘’sausages’’, 30 – 60 cm long. Hanging stalks remain on the tree. Several kilos of fibrous pulp surround the seed which are only released when fruit rots on the ground.

ECOLOGY / HABITAT

• Found in medium – altitude moist savanna woodland and along rivers in dry areas, 0 – 1,800 m; rain fall 900 – 1,400 mm. Thrives in well – drained sandy sediments and sandy loams.

DISTRIBUTION / RANGE

Widely distributed in Tanzania and throughout tropical Africa.

USES

Food:

• The fruits are crushed and used to speed up fermentation in the preparation of local alcoholic brews

Medicinal

• The leaves and stem bark are used as medicine for treatment of Sexually Transmitted disease (STDS, rheumatism, Malaria, infertility, dysentery, epilepsy and headache.
• Fruits used for treatment of wounds.
• Bark and roots used for treatment of convulsions.
• The bark is boiled and the decoction used for treatment of – stomach – ache.
• The bark is soaked in water and the liquid drunk to increase lactation in women.

Commercial

• The alcoholic brew made from the fruit is sold in local bars (Pare).

Other

• The wood is used for beehives, drums, water troughs, mortars, stools, 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

TAMARIND (Tamarindus indica) Indigenous.

Family; Caesalpiniaceae

LOCAL NAMES;

• Arusha; Olmasambrai
• Bende; Mshishi, Msisi.
• Bondei; Mkwazu.
• Chagga; Mkakyi, Moya.
• Digo; Mkwadzu, Mkwaju.
• Gogo; Msisi.
• Gorowa; Mithingili.
• Hehe; Mnyali, Munyali.
• Luguru; Mdai
• Maasai; Masamburai, Olmasambrai, Olmasumoei, Oloisijoi.
• Matengo; Ukwezu.
• Mbugwe; Mosinko.
• Ngindo; Mkwaju.
• Ngoni; Mapohora.
• Nyamwezi; Msisi.
• Nyaturu; Mkwaju, Mukwaju.
• Rangi; Mkwaju.
• Sambaa; Mkwazu, Mshishi.
• Sandawe; Ank’a.
• Sukuma; Bushishi, Nshishi.
• Swahili; Mkwaju.
• Tongwe; Lusisi.
• Vidunda; Mdai.
• Zaramo; Mkwesu.
• Zigua; Mkwazu.
• Zinza; Msisa.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION;

A large tree, up to 30 m, with an extensive dense crown. The short bole can be 1 m in diameter. Evergreen, or deciduous, in dry areas. BARK; Rough, grey – brown, flaking. LEAVES; compound pinnate, on hairy stalks to 15 cm , 10 – 18 pairs of leaflets, dull green, to 3 cm, oblong, round at the tip and base, veins raised. FLOWERS; small, in few, flowered heads, buds red, petals gold with red veins.  FRUIT; pale brown, sausage – like, hairy pods, cracking when mature to show sticky brown pulp around 1 – 10 dark brown angular seeds.

ECOLOGY/ HABITAT;

A very adaptable species, drought hardy, preferring semi – arid woodlands and wooded grasslands. It  tolerates salty soils, coastal winds and monsoon climates, 0 – 1,500 m.  It grows in most soils, even sand or coral, but prefers deep alluvial soil, often riverine in valley dry areas.  A long, well – marked dry season seems to improve fruiting.

DISTRIBUTION/ RANGE;

It grows in all parts of Tanzania, most abundant in woodland and thorn bush but prominent at the coast and in Zanzibar, widespread in the rest of tropical Africa, into India and South East Asia.

USES;

Food; Fruits are edible. The pulp of mature fruits is sour and eaten only in small amounts. Seeds are discarded. Fallen ripe fruit are collected, cleaned, soaked in water and mixed with porridge and also used in making millet bread. The mixture tastes sour. The green fruit can also be picked straight from the tree and eaten fresh, with a seed, as a snack. They are enjoyed mostly by children and are eaten occasionally and usually in small amounts. Fruits are peeled, soaked in warm water, squeezed and filtered. Sugar is added and the juice drunk before or after being cooled. Alternatively, the juice is packed in small polythene packets, frozen and used as an iced lollipop. In many parts of the world the fruit are used in curries, chutneys and sauces. Also made into jam, sweets and eaten raw.

OTHER; the wood is used for fuel, poles withies, beams and spoons. Fruits produce a purple dye. The tree is used for shade and is a source of bee forage.

SEASON; not stored.

MANAGEMENT; collected from the wild and not protected or cultivated by local people. This species can be propagated using fresh seeds.

STATUS; common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.

WILD FIG (Ficus sur/ Ficus capensis)

Family; Moraceae (Indigenous)

LOCAL NAMES;

• Bena; Mdzombe.
• Chagga; Mkuu.
• Fipa; Unku; Milola.
• Ngindo; Mkuyu.
• Ngoni; Milola;
• Nyamwezi; Mkuyu.
• Pare; Mkuu.
• Rufiji; Mkuku.
• Sambaa; Mkuyu, Mvumo.
• Swahili; Mkuju, Mkuyu, Mwangajo.
• Tongwe;  Ikubila.

GENERAL 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 to 6 cm. FIGS; in heavy clusters to 70 cm long, on branches from trunk to older woods, figs around, 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/HABITAT;

Forest, riverine, wooded grassland, often left in cleared places in lowland and medium – altitude areas up to 2,100m; rainfall 800 – 1800 mm. Thrives best in red sandy clay loams and sandy loams, but tolerates a wide range of soil types.

DISTRIBUTION/RANGE;

Extends from central Africa to Yemen, and to southern Africa. Widespread 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 babies. 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 people.

STATUS; common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.

REMARKS

• It is a nutritious fig. The tree is considered to trap moisture, and other moisture – demanding plants are often found regenerating in its shade. It does not compete with agriculture crops.

SYCAMORE FIG

(Ficus sycomorus) Indigenous

• Family: Moraceae
• LOCAL NAMES:
• Arusha: Olngaboli
• Barabaig: Aantsi
• Chagga: Mkuu
• Fiome: Kuyu
• Gogo: Mkuyu,Mrumba
• Hehe: Msombe
• Gorowa: Aantsi
• Iraqw / Mbulu: Aantsi
• Maasai: Engaboli,Olgnangboli,Olmangulai, Olnanboli, Orang’aboli
• Ngindo: Mkuyu
• Nyamwezi: Mkuyu
• Nyaturu: Mukuyu
• Rangi: Mkuyu,Msambu,Mukuyu
• Sambaa:Mkuyu
• Sandawi: Sak’ana
• Swahili: Mkuyu
• Tongwe: Ikuku
• Zaramo: Mkuyu

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A  large semi – deciduous spreading tree to 25 m, sometimes with stem buttresses and the base commonly spreading over the ground.  Abundant white latex when cut. BARK: Distinctive yellow to cream – brown, smooth, older stems have rectangular scales which fall leaving pale brown patches. LEAVES: Oval to almost circular, to 15 cm, upper surface rough to touch, margin wavy, roughly toothed, base heart shaped, a hairy stalk to 3 cm. FRUIT: In leaf axils in pairs or in dense clusters on main branches and trunk, each rounded, 1.5 – 5 cm across, usually about 3 cm when fresh, wider at the tip, densely hairy and yellow – red when ripe.

ECOLOGY / HABITAT

Widespread on alluvial soils in valleys and riverine in dry areas.  Also in wooded grassland, often associated with Acacia tortilis (Umbrela thorn trees) and Acacia gerrardii. Does well in medium – altitude areas, up to 2,100 m: rainfall 600 – 1,800 mm.

DISTRIBUTION / RANGE

A fig tree that is widespread all over tropical Africa. Common in all parts of Tanzania.

USES

Food:

• The sweet ripe orange figs are collected and chewed to suck out the juice and the rest is rejected. It is eaten as a snack.

Medicinal

• The bark and latex are used to treat diarrhoea, sore throat, chest and glandular complaints.

Commercial

• Not marketed

Other

• This huge tree is used for shade while its wood is used for grain mortars, doors, beehives, canoes, stools and domestic utensils.

SEASON

• The figs are collected at the end of the rainy season.

STORAGE

• Not stored

MANAGEMENT

• Collected from the wild and not cultivated or protected by the local people.

STATUS;

• Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.

FIG (Ficus vallis – choudae)

• Family: Moraceae (Indigenous)
• LOCAL NAMES
• Gogo: Mkuju, Mkuyu
• Luguru: Mkuyu
• Meru: Ikuu
• Nyakyusa: Mkuju
• Rangi: Mkuyu, Msaambu,Msambu, Mumu.
• Sambaa: Mkuyu
• Swahili: Mkuyu
• Tongwe: Ihambwa

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A huge tree, 6 – 20 m, with a widely spreading crown, buttresses sometimes present. BARK: Rough, grey to pale brown. Leafy twigs, often white or hairy, skin flaking when dry. LEAVES: More or less stiff, dark green, easily recognized, wide oval, the base heart shaped, about 20 cm long and across (4 – 24 cm), the edge widely toothed, mostly waxy, usually without hairs, the stalk 2 – 11 cm. The 2 main lateral veins from the base reach beyond the middle of the leaf, 3 – 5 other veins each side of the midrib. FIGS: Single, about 3 – 6 cm across when fresh, beside or just below leaves, succulent and edible, round to oval, yellow – orange with orange stripes when ripe, hairy or not, on a short woody stalk.

ECOLOGY / HABITAT

A riverine tree, also beside lakes and in forests with a high ground water – table, 400 – 1,800 m.

DISTRIBUTION / RANGE

In  most parts of Tanzania excluding the southern areas and areas near the lakes.  Also in Kenya, Uganda, extending to Guinea and Mali, Ethiopia, northern Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

USES

Food:

• Figs are edible. Ripe fruit are fleshy and eaten raw. Fresh fruit are usually collected from the tree and eaten as a snack, especially by children and herdsmen.

Commercial

• Not marketed

Other

• The wood is used for cheap furniture, domestic utensils, beer pots, grain mortars, stools, water containers and beehives, drums, canoes and cattle troughs, shade and fuel.

SEASON

• Ripe fruit are available from November to June.

STORAGE

• Not stored.

MANAGEMENT

• Collected from the wild and not cultivated. However, it can be propagated by seed and cuttings.

STATUS

• Locally common.

REMARKS

• Several other species of figs are edible, including the following;

1. Ficus sansibarica (Chagga: Mkuu; English: Fig; Maasai: Engaboli; Makonde; Undola; Ngindo; Mpoloto, Mpondopondo; Nyakyusa; Mtulutulu; Swahili; Mkuyu – a  large tree up to 40 m tall found in Kigoma, Lindi, Mtwara, and Iringa Regions and on Zanzibar Island. It is also found in Mozambique, south to Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa;
2. Ficus glumosa var. glaberrima (Gogo; Mulumba; Hehe; Msombe; Nyamwezi; Mkuyu, Mlumba; Rangi; Mkuyu, Mumu; Swahili; Mkuyu; Tongwe; Ikuku) – a tree 10 – 15 m tall with a dense crown found in all Regions of Tanzania. Also common in Kenya, Uganda, extending to Senegal, Yemen and South Africa.
3. Ficus ingens (Gogo; Mulumba; Hehe; Msombe; Makonde; Ndebelandola; Nyamwezi; Mlumba, Mvila; Rangi; Mumu; Sambaa; Mvumo) – a tree up to 18 in high, also found all over Tanzania and extending to Yemen, Senegal, Angola, Botswana and South Africa.

GOVERNOR’S PLUM / INDIAN PLUM (Flacourtia indica) Indigerous

• Family : Flacourtiaceae
• LOCAL NAMES:
• Gogo: Mgola
• Bende; Msunga
• Chagga: Msambochi, Msambachi;
• Digo: Duruma, Madungatundu, Mnyondoiya
• Fipa: Mwanga
• Gorowa: Tsapenai
• Hehe: Mgola
• Iraqw / Mbulu; Sokhaimo
• Luguru: Mgora,Mgura;
• Maasai; Oldongurgurwo, Oldongururwo, Oloireroi.
• Matengo: Mbilipili, Mng’unga;
• Mwera: Mtaswa, Mtawa;
• Ngindo;
• Nyamwezi: Mpuguswa, Mpunguswa, Msingila, Msungwi;
• Nyaturu: Musingisa
• Rangi: Mtundukarya
• Rufiji; Mtawa
• Sukuma; Mpuguswa
• Swahili: Mchongoma, Mgo, Mgovigovi, Mkingili;
• Tongwe; Lusungunimba;
• Zaramo: Mtawa
• Zigua: Mgola
• Zinza: Msungusu

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A  deciduous spiny shrub or small tree, usually 3 – 5 m; spines on the trunk usually straight, sometimes branched, up to 12 cm long but quite variable. BARK; Rough, pale yellow – grey, branches may have a yellow powder at first. LEAVES: Variable in size, oval, to 12 cm, edge toothed, 4 – 7 pairs, veins clear on both surfaces, stalk to 2 cm. FLOWERS: small, cream, fragrant: male flowers with very many yellow stamens, female flowers with a divided spreading style. FRUIT:  Red – purple – black, round, and juicy but acid, to 2.5 cm across, persisting on the tree. They contain up to 10 small hard and flat seeds.

ECOLOGY / HABITAT

Does well in montane woodland and at forest edges, 0 – 2,400 m; rainfall 1,000 – 1,800 mm. Thrives  in a variety of soil types.

DISTRIBUTION / RANGE

Found in all parts of Tanzania. Widespread  in the rest of tropical and subtropical Africa, Madagascar and the Seychelles; also in Asia.

USES

Food:

• The fruit are collected from the tree and eaten straight away, especially during famine periods, and also as a snack.
• A good jam is made by boiling the fruit with sugar.

Medicinal

• Leaves are used as medicine to treat asthma, as a tonic for anaemia and for treating screw worm in cattle.
• Roots are used to treat indigestion and stomach pains, snakebite and infertility.
• Fresh roots are washed and dried and the bark granted on a rough stone. The resulting powder is soaked in a small amount of salty water to make a paste which is licked for treating sore throat and cough.

Commercial

• Sold in local markets.

Other

• The wood is white and tough and used for firewood, charcoal, spoons, bedsteads and building poles.

SEASON

• Ripe fruit are collected from December to July.

STORAGE

• Ripe fruit can be dried in the sun and later soaked in water before being eaten.

MANAGEMENT

• Collected from the wild, but sometimes cultivated or retained in farms. Can be propagated by seed, but they require scarification (cracking, piercing) first.

STATUS

• Common and easily accessible within its area of distribution.

REMARKS

• A promising fruit tree suitable for agroforestry.

SNOWBERRY TREE (Flueggeavirosa (Securinega virosa)

• Family: Euphorbiaceae (Indigenous )
• LOCAL NAMES:
• Maasai; Embaingu
• Matengo: Kimbalapala
• Ngindo: Kipalapala,bonde,Mtetakana
• Ngoni: Mtengula;
• Sambaa: Mkwamba
• Swahili; Mkwamba,Mteja

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A deciduous much – branched shrub, usually 1 – 3 m, occasionally a tree to 7 m. BARK: Red – brown, smooth, later rough. Branchlets and leaf stalks purple – red. LEAVES: simple and alternate, very variable, to 6 cm, wider at the tip, which may be notched, grey below. FLOWERS: Male and Female plants.  Flowers small, green – yellow, sweet – scented, in leaf axils, male flowers in clusters but only 1 – 5 female flowers. FRUIT: small white berries, only 5 mm across but edible and sweet. Pale green berries ripen white, 4 -5 mm across, edible and sweet with 5 soft segments containing tiny seeds, pale brown and shiny.

ECOLOGY / HABITAT

Locally common in a wide variety of plant associations, mainly forest edges and associated bushland, generally in higher rainfall areas, bushland and thicket, extending into dry areas along watercourses, sometimes on termite mounds, rocky slopes and common in disturbed places, 0 – 2,300 m.

DISTRIBUTION / RANGE

Found in all areas of Tanzania, including Zanzibar and Pemba.  Also in Uganda, Kenya and the rest of Africa from Senegal to Somalia, south to Namibia; southern Arabian Peninsula, Socotra, Madagascar and east to Japan.

• USES
• Food;
• Ripe fruit are juicy, sweet and eaten raw, usually by children but by everyone during times of food scarcity.

Medicinal:

• Roots are boiled and the decoction used for treating bilharzia.
• Leaves are pounded, fermented and used as medicine for Malaria. . Leaves are also used to treat stomach – ache.
• Fruit are crushed and rubbed into itching skin.

Commercial

• Not marketed
• Other
• The wood is hard and used for firewood, withies, toothbrushes, storage pots and pegs. Leaves and fruit are used for fodder. Also eaten by birds.
• SEASON
• Fruit are available from April to June.
• STORAGE
• Not stored
• MANAGEMENT
• Collected from the wild and not cultivated. Can be propagated by seed.

STATUS

• Common and easily accessible with its area of distribution.

REMARKS

• A fast – growing hardy shrub suitable for planting in wetland.

POISON – GRUB COMMIPHORA (Commiphora africana) Indigenous

• Family: Burseraceae
• LOCAL NAMES:
• Arusha: Osilalei
• Barabaig: Naamo
• Bende: Siponda
• Bena: Mtono
• Gogo: Msilalo Msomvugo
• Gorowa: Niimo
• Iraqwi / Mbulu: Backchandi, Niimo
• Isanzu: Muzuhu
• Luguru: Kologwe
• Massai: Oloishimi
• Mbugwe: Tundulu
• Nyamwezi: Msagasi
• Nyaturu: Mujuhu
• Rangi: Ibwebwe, Idaki, Ijovya, Iponde, Mpome
• Swahili: Mbambaru, Mkororo, Mponda, Mturituri
• Zinza: Mawezi

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Usually a spiny shrub,  but many become a tree to 10 m. Deciduous, bare for many months. BARK: Grey – green, peeling to show green below, when cut a yellowish gum drips out, branchlets thorn tipped. LEAVES: Soft, hairy and bright green, compared with three leaflets, edge wavy, fragrant when crushed, central –   leaflet much longer than the other two. FLOWERS: small, red, in tight clusters, often on thorns, on the bare tree. FRUIT: Pink – red, soft, about 1 cm, pointed, stony seed inside.

• ECOLOGY / HABITAT

It grows on rocky sites, clay or sand with minimal rainfall, typical of much thornbush in Tanzania and Kenya, open savanna and desert, 500 – 1,900 m.

• DISTRIBUTION / RANGE

A shrub found in the driest areas all over Africa.

USES

Food:

• Swollen rootstock from young plants are dug up, peeled and chewed raw like cassava. It is eaten by children and herdsmen.

Medicinal:

• Roots are collected and boiled in water and the decoction drunk as a remedy for fever, leprosy and stomach – ache.
• Bark and roots are boiled and used as steam bath for fevers and colds.
• The bark is chewed or pounded then mixed with tobacco and applied on snakebite. The resin is used for disinfecting wounds.
• Fruit are used for treating typhoid.

COMMERCIAL

• Not marketed

OTHER:

• The wood is soft and used for beehives, stools, domestic utensils and wheels for carts. The tree is used as a live fence.

SEASON:

• Rootstock collected during the rainy season.

STORAGE:

• Not stored

MANAGEMENT

• Collected from the wild and not cultivated or protected by the local people. It can be propagated from seed and cuttings.

STATUS

• Common and easily available within its habitat.