Celtis toka

Family: Cannabaceae

What it is like

It is a shrub or small tree. It grows 18-25 m tall. It often has buttresses. The bark is light grey and smooth. The crown can be long or spreading. It develops branches low down on the trunk. The trunk can be 1-1.5 m across. The leaves are oval and 4-8 cm long by 2.5-4.5 cm wide. They taper to the tip and are slightly unequal at the base. Young leaves can have teeth along the edge. The fruit is fleshy and a flattened round shape. They are 1 cm long. They are yellow to orange and hairy.

Also put in the family Ulmaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in dry soils. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall below 400 mm. It can grow in arid places. It also grows in dry forest near rivers. It grows from 350-1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Benin, Burkina Faso, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Middle East, Nigeria, Sahel, Senegal, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten as a dessert fruit. The leaves are used as a flavouring. They are added to salads and soups.

The leaves are commonly used in the Sahel.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves - flavouring, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Gudibi'ato, Laere, Matoqoma, Metekoma

Synonyms

Celtis integrifolia Lam.;