Gadda
Zanthoxylum chalybeum

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 6 m tall. The crown is broad and dense. It has prickly processes on the trunk. The leaves are 6-20 cm long. There are 2-5 leaflets. The leaflet blades are 3-7 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. The flower panicle is 9 cm long. It is at the base of new branches. Male and female flowers are separate. The fruit are about 6 mm across. The seed is black and shiny.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowlands. It grows in dry woodland and on termite mounds. In Kenya it grows from sea level to 1,800 m altitude. It grows on coastal sands and well-drained red clay soils. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo DR, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves and fruit have a strong aroma and are used to flavour tea. They are also used as a vegetable. They can also be pounded, dried and stored. The bark is also used to make tea and put in soups for flavour.

It is a popular vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves, bark, fruit, vegetable, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or root suckers. Plants can be cut back and allowed to re-grow.

It is slow growing. Leaves are collected during the rainy season and early dry season.

Its other names

Local names

Cipolo, Cipupa, Dedeho, Hombomuungu, Iguga, Igugu, Ketata, Keta'ata, Kettata, Loisuki, Mdung, Mhunngu, Mjafari, Mkonta, Mkunungu, Mlenda, Mlungulungu, Mukana, Mukenea, Mukundanyoka, Murongo, Oluisuki, Pupwe, Pupwe chulu, Pupwekyulu

Synonyms

Fagara chalybea (Engl.) Engl.; Fagara merkeri Engl.; Fagara mpwapwensis Engl.; Fagara olitoria (Engl.) Engl.; Zanthoxylum olitorium Engl.;