African elm, Tree Peach, Woolly Cedar
Trema orientalis
Family: Cannabaceae
What it is like
A straight slender tree. It grows to 10 m high. The trunk is 15-20 cm across. It may or may not lose its leaves during the year. The leaves have 3 conspicuous veins from the base. The leaves are heart shaped and with 3 veins. The leaves are often widest at the base. Leaves are often 6-15 cm long by 2.5-5 cm wide. There are fine teeth along the edge of the leaf. The leaves are rough and hairy when young. The flowers are small, green and no easily seen. They occur in short dense bunches. Mostly male and female flowers occur separately. The fruit are small and round and black. They are 4-6 mm across.
It fixes nitrogen so improves soil fertility. It is used in medicine. Also put in the family Ulmaceae.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It needs good rainfall. It grows in tropical regions. It is light demanding. It can grow on thin poor soils. It grows in areas with an annual between 100-1,600 mm. It grows below 2,100 m above sea level. It can grow in acid soils. It can grow in arid places. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Andamans, Angola, Arabia, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo DR, Congo R, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guam, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Marquesas, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Reunion, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis and Futuna, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The young leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The fruit are eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves, fruit, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seeds germinate easily. They can also be grown by cuttings.
It is fast growing but short lived.
Its other names
Local names
Ama, Ambaratthi, Anabiong, Anggrung, Bendarong, Buanhonho, Budamuru, Bumlo, Camile, Chakamaanu, Charcoal tree, Chenkolam, Chikan, Fuleti, Gaddanelli, Gio, Gol, Gorklu, Gunpowder tree, Hophout, Hu day, Indian nettle tree, Jhau, Jiban, Jibon, Jivani, Jivanti, Jiwanti, Kaakamushti, Kapashi, Kargol, Kasisa, Kharkas, Kidia nuni, Kiwandu kimfinda, Korunhale, Kuray, Kywe-sa, Lifimbe, Magele, M'pelo, M'peso, Mafet, Malantotali, Menarong, Mengkirai, Mezendenguenia, Mgendagenda, Mpesi, Mukurukuru, Mundia nuni, Mupama, Musonsoli, Mwezi, Narong paya, Narong, Nonha, Nsakasaka, Paw fan, Paw hek, Paw teng, Peci, Pigeonwood, Pohon mengkirai, Quere, Ranambada, Ratthi, Rubta-kabafar, Satsha, Sesea, Thehoi, Umbalakacane, Umbengele, Umphahla, Umudoboori, Umvumu, Uphokane
Synonyms
Celtis commersonii Brongn.; Celtis discolor Brongn.; Celtis glomerata Hochst.; Celtis guineensis Schumach. & Thonn.; Celtis madagarascariensis Bojer; Celtis orientalis L.; Colubrina leschenaultii (DC.) G. Don; Sponia bracteolata Hochst.; Sponia glomerata Hochst.; Sponia hochstetteri Planch.; Sponia nitens Hook. & Planch.; Sponia orientalis (L.) Decne.; Sponia wightii Planch; Trema affinis (Planch.) Blume; Trema africana Blume; Trema amboinensis auct., non Blume; Trema bracteolata (Hochst.) Blume; Trema commersonii (Decaisne ex Planchon) Blume; Trema glomerata (Hochst.) Blume; Trema grevei Baill.; Trema grisea Baker; Trema guineense (Schumach & Thonn.) Ficalho; Trema hochstetteri Engl.; Trema nitens (Hook. & Planch.) Blume; Trema polygama Z. M. Wu & J. Y. Lin; Trema wightii Blume;