Tami
Searsia ruspolii

Family: Anacardiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-8 m high. The twigs are stout. They are reddish-brown. The leaves are broadly oval but not equal on either side. There are broad teeth along the edges of the leaves. The flowering clusters are usually at the ends of branches. The male flowers are grouped into clusters. The fruit is round and 4 mm across. It is pink and shiny.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Ethiopia it grows at the lower edges of mountain forests between 1,200-2.150 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda

How it is used for food

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Fruit, seed

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. They are usually self-sown.

Its other names

Local names

Dodobay, Mucako, Picha oraya, Pichi oraya, Qacawuleteta, Shawshini

Synonyms

Rhus bequaertii Robyns & Lawlaree; Rhus ruspolii Engl.;