Pepper-leaf corkwood
Commiphora mossambicensis

Family: Burseraceae

What it is like

A small tree. It does not have thorns. It loses its leaves during the year. The trunk is usually single. The crown is round. The bark is smooth and brown. The young twigs are velvety. The leaves are alternate and have 3 leaflets. The leaf stalk can be 45 mm long. The leaflets droop. The leaflets are almost round. The flowers are in clusters in the axils of leaves. They are small and yellow to pink. Male and female flowers occur on different plants.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the hot arid bushveld. It is often on rocky hillsides. It grows in areas with a rainfall between 500-800 mm per year. It grows between 390-1,600 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It grows in Miombo woodland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The roots are chewed probably for their sweet moisture.

They are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Roots

How it is grown

Trees are used as a live fence.

The rootstock is collected during the rainy season.

Its other names

Local names

Iminyela lentaba, Moroka, Mokomoto, Muchove, Mukompe, Nripwi, Peperblaakanniedood

Synonyms

Commiphora fischeri Engl.; Commiphora stolzii Engl.;