Raisin bush, Tropical resin tree
Ozoroa insignis

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 2-4 m high. The small branches are hairy. The leaves are usually in rings of 3. They are oval or sword shaped. They are 5-13 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The leaves have a dense covering of hairs underneath. The flowers are small and white. They occur in short branched sprays. The fruit is kidney-shaped and 4.5 mm long by 7.5 mm wide. They become black when mature. Five subspecies have been described.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in open woodland. It grows between 5-2,200 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. The bark is used for tea.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, bark - tea, gum

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

African resin-tree, Chinunci, Diatata, Harpuisbos, Heeria, Isafice, Katikati, Mkaakaa, Mkalakala, Mnyonowapembe, Muacha, Mubedu, Murungu, Rrica, Safice, Sukava, Tar berry, Tuco-tuco

Synonyms

Ozoroa reticulata (Baker f.) R. Fern. & A. Fern.;