Bush guarri
Euclea racemosa subsp. schimperi

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-8 m tall. The bark is grey to black. The leaves are near the ends of branches. They are oval and 3-9 cm long by 0.5-3 cm wide. They curl under at the edge. The flowers are small and creamy white. They have a sweet scent. They occur in short sprays in the axils of leaves. These are 4 cm long. The fruit are almost round. They are 8 mm across. They are rich red to purple when mature.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in coastal scrub and low altitude bush. It is in areas of moderate rainfall. In Ethiopia it grows between 1,500-2,300 m altitude. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 100-150 mm. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Central Africa, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, North Africa, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The thin layer around the seed is eaten.

The fruit are eaten especially by children. They are eaten by adults during famines.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dedaho, Emus, Inchitsamuti, Indvodzemnyama, Maayeer, Miessa, Mlalaku, Muenya, Mufitu-mbwe, Mulala, Munhu, Quintana

Synonyms

Euclea kellau Hoscht.; Euclea bilocularis Hiern.; Euclea latidens Stapf; Euclea macrophylla Wild; Euclea mayottensis H. Perrier; Euclea microcarpa Gurke; Euclea schimperi (A. DC.) Dandy; Euclea racemosa (A. DC.) Dandy; Euclea urijiensis Hiern.; Kellaua schimperi A. DC.;