Horsewood, Clausena
Clausena anisata

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-5 m high. It can reach 10 m. The trunk is 20 cm across. The trunk is straight and branches early. The crown is dense and round. The bark is greyish-brown and mottled. The leaves are alternate and compound. There are 10-17 pairs of leaflets and one at the end. The leaflets are 1-6 cm long by 0.6-2.5 cm wide. They are dark green and densely covered with gland dots. The flowers are small and white or yellow. They are 10 mm across. They occur in branched sprays. These can be 16 cm long. The fruit is round and fleshy. They are 7 mm across. They become red to black when mature.

There are about 30 Clausena species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in evergreen forest. It is in low altitude woodland and palm groves near streams. It suits high rainfall areas. In South Africa it grows from sea level to 2200 m altitude. It is a light demanding and drought tolerant tree. It grows in open land and around villages. In Sikkim it grows between 900-1,700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, China, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Himalayas, India, Indian Ocean islands, Indochina, Indonesia, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Northeastern India, Philippines, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sikkim, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh. The leaves are used as a spice.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, root, spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Azizinma, Ewe kikani, Funata, Gbozohouin, Hong bi rung, Kaattminthiri, Hirmachayi, Limich, Limicho, Mkangano, Mokolokale, Muvengahonye, Muvhunambezo, Sanga, Sidemyok, Tchakatouma, Thapata chedi, Ulmayi, Umbangadloti, Umnikalampimba, Xirdhoo

Synonyms

Clausena abyssinica (Engl.) Engl.; Clausena inequalis (DC.) Benth.; Clausena willdenowii Wight & Arn. [Illegitimate]; and several others