Diamond-leaved euclea
Euclea divinorum

Family: Ebenaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows up to 6 m tall. It can be 18 m tall. It often branches from the base. The bark is grey. It is smooth when young and cracked when old. The crown of the tree has many branches and is leafy. The leaves are leathery and with a wavy surface. They are simple leaves and usually almost opposite each other. The upper surface is grey green and the lower surface is paler. Leaves are 3.5-9 cm long and 1-2.5 cm wide. They are oval or sword shaped and taper towards each end. The tip is round. The edges of the leaves is usually very wavy. The flowers are small, cream and cup shaped. They are produced in short dense heads in the axils of leaves. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. The flowers and stalks are covered with tiny rusty-brown dots. The fruit is small round berries on stalks. They have a thin flesh and usually one seed. They are edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open woodland. It grows in dry, hot areas below 900 m altitude in South Africa. It grows up to 2,400 m altitude in East Africa. It can grow in arid places. It grows in areas with mean annual temperatures of 17°C and rainfall of 700 mm.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, Djibouti, East Africa, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are occasionally eaten. They have a small amount of sweet edible pulp. They can be used for drinks. They are also used to make beer. CAUTION: The fruit can cause stomach upsets. The leaves are considered an appetiser. They are also burnt to produce plant ash as an edible salt.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or suckers. Seeds need to be planted fresh. They grow easily. They only stay viable for 2 months.

Its other names

Local names

Achondradoho, Cheptuya, Dangula, Dedeho, Indlelanyamatane-lebovu, Iwaruka, Kanho-kanho, Magic gwarri, Maqayita, Mawbulawe, Mdaa, Mdala, Measka, Mi'eessaa, Mkenye, Motlhakola, Motlhakolane, Mthlakula, Mubhununu, Mudziviriratsuro, Mugurameno, Mukinyai, Mukuthi, Mungunya, Munyenya, Mushangura, Musikizi, Mutangule, Nginyai, Nhlangula, Nhleta nyamazana, Ounsi, Sijelele, Towerghwarrie, Umhlangula, Umtshekesane, Unsi

Synonyms

Embelia oleifolia S. Moore; Euclea huillensis Gurke; Euclea katangensis De Willd.; Euclea lanceolata Hiern; Euclea keniensis R. E. Fr.;