Dobera glabra

Family: Salvadoraceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 10 m tall. The bark is green or grey and patchy. The leaves are opposite and grey-green. They are thick and smooth. The leaves can be 7 cm long. There is often a notch at the tip. The flowers are small and white. The fruit are oval and 2 cm long. They have 1 or 2 flat seeds.

There are 2 Dobera species. When the shrub shoots prolifically it indicates drought is approaching.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It produces better during times of drought. It grows in dry areas and salty soils. In East Africa it grows between 400-1,300 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It grows in areas with a mean annual rainfall between 100-600 mm.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Djibouti, East Africa, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit pulp is eaten raw. The kernels are eaten after repeated boiling or cooking for up to 24 hours. If it is eaten in large amounts it can cause stomach upsets. Gum from the tree is eaten.

It is an important famine food. The seeds are eaten as a famine food.

Edible parts

Plant, fruit, seeds, gum

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seeds. They are sown directly where they are to grow. It can be cut back and will re-grow.

It is a very slow growing tree. It yields more leaves and fruit during drought times. In Kenya trees flower March to April and fruit July to August.

Its other names

Local names

Ade, Domaye, Ekee, Garas, Garsa, Garse, Garsee, Gasera, Geresa, Gharsa, Ghersa, Haras, Kadite, Karsata, Keresion, Kerseta, Kikaitha, Kisiu, Kithio, Koros, Korosion, Mikae, Mkuha, Mudua, Zobra

Synonyms

Dobera coriacea (Hochst.) A. DC.; Dobera dubia Steud.; Tomex glabra Forssk.; and others