Dobera roxburghii

Family: Salvadoraceae

What it is like

A large tree. It keeps its leaves throughout the year. It grows 5-15 m tall. The leaves are opposite. They are oval to round and 2-9 cm long by 1-4 cm wide. The flowers are small and greenish-white. The fruit is oval and 1-2 cm long by 7-10 mm across. The seeds are dark and oval. They are 9-11 mm long by 6-7 mm wide.

There are 2 Dobera species. Chemical composition (undebittered): Protein (crude) = 19.0% (dry). Oil = 0.5% (dry). Ash = 6.4% (dry). Fibre (crude) = 2.6% (dry). Carbohydrate (soluble): starch = 55.7%(dry); (sugars): sucrose = 5.1% (dry). D-glucose = 3.0% (dry). D- fructose = 00.4% (dry). Amino acid (g [16g N ]-1): Aspartic acid = 9.2g. Threonine = 2.7g. Serine = 2.9g. Glutamic acid = 10.1g. Proline = 4.9g. Glycine = 3.6g. Alanine = 4.2g. Cysteine = 1.5g (performic acid oxidation). Methionine = 2.2g. (performic acid oxidation). Isoleucine = 3.2g. Leucine = 6.0g. Tyrosine = 2.8g. Phenylalanine = 4.1g. Histidine = 1.3g. Lysine = 3.4g. Arginine = 5.4g. Sulphur = 0.98% (dry). Potassium = 0.18% (dry). Magnesium = 0.47%(dry). Calcium = 0.53% (dry). Na = 0.02% (dry). K = 1.28% (dry). Zinc = 33 mg/kg-1 (dry). Iron = 382 mg/kg-1 (dry). Manganese = 334 mg/kg-1 (dry). Copper = 2 mg/kg-1 (dry).

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In East Africa it grows from sea level to 810 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, India, Kenya, Middle East, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Yemen

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is eaten. The seeds are eaten after boiling 4 times with changes of water to remove the bitterness. They are then sun-dried and ground into flour for porridge or flat bread. The whole seeds are cooked and eaten with oil and salt.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dober, Maikah

Synonyms

Salvadora glabra Baill.; Schizocalyx coriaceus Hochst.;